Developed in collaboration with the Grand Marque wine company and selected by a panel of tasters from the university, the range will go on sale under the brand name "Masters".

The move is part of the university's attempts to raise funds to modernise its science laboratory facilities and provide new buildings for expanding academic departments.

One of the tasters, Richard Stibbs, said: "We think it's an imaginative way to help us fund Cambridge's future."

Alumni

The wines will mainly be sold to the university's former students, costing from £4.99 a bottle.

They will also be sold in shops in Cambridge and central London, as well as being available for mail order over the Internet.

The launch of the wine range is the latest of a series of product licensing arrangements entered into by the University of Cambridge.

The programme, which uses the university's coat of arms as a trademark, also endorses goods including clothes and bicycles.

It has already raised more than £200,000 for university projects, mainly through sales to university alumni.