While the majority of this wealth undoubtedly comes from their oil business, London-based daughter Nathalie manages the family’s Bordeaux portfolio, which includes Margaux estate Château Labégorce Zédé. Between 1989 and 2005 her late father, Hubert Perrodo successfully reunited the majority of the original property, which had been split into three estates.

Also ranked among the billionaires was the Grant Gordon family, with an estimated wealth of £1.9bn. Last year saw their spirits company William Grant & Sons, whose portfolio includes brands such as Glenfiddich, Balvenie, Grant’s, Hendrick’s and Sailor Jerry, achieve a record turnover of £1.06bn, although profits slid. Key to the transformation of this family run business from a small whisky distillery into one of the world’s major drinks firms was Charles Grant Gordon, who died at the end of 2013.

Scotch whisky has proved similarly lucrative business for a number of other individuals. Vivian Imerman’s £355m fortune derived not only from his sale of canned food group Del Monte, but also Whyte & Mackay, which has been in the news again recently after being bought by Philippines firm Emperador for £430m.

There was also a major windfall for Sandy Bulloch (£100m), whose Loch Lomond Distillery Company was snapped up in March by Exponent Private Equity.