Wines from 1855 Bordeaux Classification

History of the classification

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The Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855 resulted from the 1855 Exposition Universelle de Paris when Emperor Napoleon III requested a classification system for France's best Bordeaux wines that were to be on display for visitors from around the world. Brokers from the wine trade ranked the wines according to a château's reputation and trading price, which at that time was directly related to quality.

The official name of the classification is: GRANDS CRUS CLASSÉS EN 1855 MÉDOC & SAUTERNES
This classification included only red wines from the Médoc, the Sauternes and Barsac sweet white wines, and one Graves red cru (Château Haut-Brion)

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Within each category, the various châteaux are ranked in order of quality.
The most famous change in the classification took place in 1973 when Château Mouton Rothschild was elevated from a second growth to a first growth vineyard after decades of intense lobbying by Philippe de Rothschild.

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Actually, many other changes took place since 1855. The original list has increased from 58 to 61.
In 1856 Cantemerle was added as a fifth growth. In the 1870’s Château Dubignon, a third growth from Margaux was removed from the classification when it was absorbed into Château Malescot St. Exupéry. Three estates, Léoville, Pichon, and Batailley, have been split into two or more châteaux. Pouget and Pouget-Lassale, have since been combined into one, known now as Château Pouget.

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Now the categories are:

For reds: 60 crus from the Médoc and 1 cru from Pessac-Léognan (Château Haut-Brion) based on five categories: 5 Premiers Crus, 14 Deuxièmes Crus, 14 Troisièmes Crus, 10 Quatrièmes Crus, 18 Cinquièmes Crus.

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For sweet whites: 27 crus of the Sauternes and Barsac appellations: 1 Premier Cru Supérieur (Château d'Yquem), 11 Premiers Crus, 15 Deuxièmes Crus.

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