The Saint-Emilion
classification
What is the point of a classification?
It’s a question worth asking. A classification recognizes wine estates which are particularly worthy of attention in terms of their quality, their consistency and their long-term reputation. In other words, it shines a light on the best terroirs and guarantees an unforgettable tasting experience.
WHAT IS THE CLASSIFICATION
exactly?
The thinking behind the Saint-Emilion classification is twofold: to promote the best terroirs and their wine while perpetuating a culture of unfailing excellence. Revised every ten years, the classification encourages estate owners to continuously surpass themselves and never stop improving.
What are the defining criteria?
From the outset, the Saint-Emilion classification has taken a comprehensive approach to assessing each candidate. Because excellence is the total of a thousand tiny details.
- The number one criterion remains a thorough tasting of the wines, which forms the backbone of the whole classification. The tasting is judged by experts from outside the Bordeaux wine industry and overseen by a certifying body. This ensures that the results are entirely objective.
- Other criteria include the reputation of each château, its terroirs and its winegrowing practices. This is a dynamic, evolving classification which moves with the times: these days, it includes environmental commitments and wine tourism offers.
And the results?
Three levels of excellence, which are easy for consumers to understand:
- Premiers Grands Crus Classés “A” (the best of the best)
- Grands Crus Classés
- Premiers Grands Crus Classés (only estates which already hold Grand Cru Classé status are eligible to apply)
What makes it stand out from other classifications?
The Saint-Emilion system is truly unique, for a whole host of reasons. Here are the main ones to remember:
As the name suggests, it exclusively concerns the terroirs and red wines of Saint-Emilion. Clear and simple.
It’s not set in stone, because the whole classification is reviewed and updated every ten years as part of a never-ending quest for excellence. In fact, it was always intended to be updated regularly – which was quite a modern idea for the time.
It is based on stringent assessment criteria: multiple tastings by experienced professionals, intensive quality control and total transparency. This isn’t the only classification with strict rules, but it’s worth mentioning all the same.
Classified growths are expected to lead by example when it comes to protecting the environment and nurturing biodiversity. Because that’s an important part of what makes a truly great wine estate.
See also: Bordeaux classifications
Who is included in the list right now?
71 Grands Crus Classés, 12 Premiers Grands Crus Classés and 2 Premiers Grands Crus Classés “A” in the current (7th) edition of the classification, unveiled in 2022.
A bit of
history
After twenty centuries of history, it’s no wonder this place has a strong identity! In Saint-Emilion, excellence is a sacred tradition. The appellation was keen to share this story with the world, embarking upon an ambitious undertaking which has gone through several phases, but has always been powered by the same passion. Seventy years on and still going strong, the classification remains as relevant as ever. Visionary then, and visionary now.
1884
Foundation of the Saint-Emilion Winegrowers’ Association
The first association of its kind in France: a thoroughly modern move.
1936
Official recognition of the Saint-Emilion PDO
Once again, the appellation was at the forefront of innovation.
1948
Official system of quality control based on tasting
Yet again, this was the first time a French appellation had done anything of this kind. The tasting system laid the groundwork for the future classification.
1952
First draft of the classification’s rules and regulations
To show that it was taking this classification seriously, the appellation turned to the INAO (France’s National Institute of Origin and Quality) and the Ministry of Agriculture for help with the rules.
1954
Three new appellations join the family
On top of the existing Saint-Emilion PDO, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé and Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé became PDOs in their own right.
1955
The very first Saint-Emilion classification
The inaugural classification included 75 châteaux: 63 Grands Crus Classés, and 12 Premiers Grands Crus Classés.
1969 to 2002
Six further editions of the classification
The second edition of the classification, published in 1969, contained 84 châteaux, a testament to the appeal of this ranking system. New versions followed in 1986 (74 châteaux), 1996 (68 châteaux), 2006 (72 châteaux) and 2012 (82 châteaux), with the most recent edition occurring in 2022(including 85 châteaux).
