1855 Bordeaux classification
What is the point of a classification?
Good question! A classification is kind of like a consumer guide. It compares and rates wines on the basis of specific criteria, such as their quality, reputation and dependability. The aim is to help wine lovers understand the market, to protect the value of the wines, and to shine a light on the finest terroirs. Useful, no?
WHAT IS THE CLASSIFICATION
exactly?
The 1855 Grand Cru Classé system was just as imperial as empirical…
During the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1855, Napoleon III decided to seize this prime advertising opportunity for France’s winegrowing regions. With this goal in mind, he asked Bordeaux’s brokers to produce a clear classification of their finest wines.
He even stipulated the assessment criteria:
- The reputation of each estate
- The market prices fetched by their most recent vintages
What does it all mean for Bordeaux today?
There are 88 “classified growths” (or châteaux) in total, located in the terroirs which were considered to be the most desirable at the time: the Médoc and Sauternes & Barsac As the only Cru Classé in the Graves, Château Haut-Brion is the exception which proves the rule.
The classification is further divided into:
- 5 levels for red wines: Premier Cru, Second Cru, Troisième Cru, Quatrième Cru, Cinquième Cru.
- 3 levels for white wines: Premier Cru Supérieur, Premier Cru, Second Cru.
What makes it stand out from other classifications?
The 1855 classification is very different from similar rankings found in Bordeaux because…
It focuses exclusively on the red wines of the Médoc (and one from Graves, if you’ve been paying attention!) and the sweet white wines of Sauternes & Barsac. The region’s other terroirs have their own classifications.
It never changes, unlike other classifications which are regularly updated.
It is the only classification created to coincide with a major event before turning into a permanent arrangement… still going strong almost two centuries later.
See also: Bordeaux classifications.
Who is included in the list right now?
For the reds, 60 estates in the Médoc and 1 in the Graves (Pessac-Léognan). For the sweet white wines, 27 châteaux in Sauternes and Barsac.
A bit of
history
“Grand Cru Classé en 1855” is more than just a line on a label. It has become a symbol of quality, embodying the excellence and expertise of Bordeaux. It has the weight of history behind it, an accolade that has stood the test of time… like a very (very) good bottle of wine.
Mid-17th century
The roots of the 1855 classification
By this time, the English had a reputation as Bordeaux’s biggest fans. Their demand for quality naturally led to an informal ranking emerging, with wines rated on the strength of their terroirs and producers. In fact, it was in London that the owner of Château Haut-Brion opened the world’s very first wine bar.
1787
Thomas Jefferson’s classification
Yes, that Thomas Jefferson. During a spell in Bordeaux, the future third President of the United States drew up his own unofficial ranking of the local wines. A truly visionary wine lover.
5 AVRIL 1855
The Emperor requests a classification
Preparations were in full swing for the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1855. French Emperor Napoleon III asked all of the country’s wine regions to produce a classification of their best wines. In Bordeaux, the Chamber of Commerce asked the wine brokers’ syndicate to rate and rank the region’s finest.
18 AVRIL 1855
The classification is established
The brand-new official classification did not reveal too many surprises, since it essentially mirrored the unofficial ranking already established by English consumers – always an intuitive bunch when it comes to drinking.
