Bordeaux Wine Classifications
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An historic ranking of the most important wines of the day in Bordeaux, conducted by merchants for the 1855 Paris Exhibition. The classification, based on prevailing market prices, had five grades covering 61 red wines and 20 white. Of the whites all were sweet, either from Sauternes or Barsac; all but one of the red wines was from the Médoc, the sole exception being Château Haut-Brion in the Graves. No Saint-Emilion or Pomerol were included.
The 1855 Classification has become the established benchmark and is still referred to today, despite having no official status. Only one modification has been tolerated, the promotion of Château Mouton-Rothschild to First growth in 1973, an action which required a Government Decree.
The 1855 classification only accounted for a small proportion of the Médoc wine estates, and in 1932 (updated in 1978) a further system of classification was introduced. Cru Bourgeois now accounts for some 203 châteaux and is sub-divided into three levels:
- Grand Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel
- Grand Cru Bourgeois
- Cru Bourgeois
Beneath this level there is the classification of Cru Artisan.
The 1953 and 1959 Graves Classification
A far simpler level of classifcation was devised in the fifties for the wines of the Graves (including Pessac-Léognan). There is no ranking, rather all listed wines are entitled to use the term Cru Classé. Château Haut-Brion is also included, although it still retains its 1855 classification as detailed above.
Saint-Emilon Classification (1955)
There are four classifications within Saint-Emilion; which, in contrast to the 1855 classification, are reviewed every ten years with promotions and demotions. The most recent amendments were announced in 2006.
| Premier Grand Cru Classé (A) |
- |
2 Châteaux |
| Premier Grand Cru Classé (B) |
- |
11 Châteaux |
| Grand Cru Classé |
- |
55 Châteaux |
| Grand Cru |
- |
approximately 600 Châteaux |
Pomerol
This small region of Bordeaux has never been classified. Arguably the most famous and sought-after property from this region is Château Pétrus. Its informal status confirmed as it is regually listed alongside other first growths.
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