Bordeaux Pt 11 - Classifications

Question 1

In Bordeaux, are the vineyards or the estates or the wines ranked?

Answer 1

The estates/chateaux are ranked except in Graves where the wine is ranked.

Question 2

What are the classification systems in Bordeaux?

Answer 2

Classification of 1855;
Cru Bourgeois;
Cru Artisan;
Graves;
St. Emilion.

Question 3

Is the Bordeaux 1855 classification part of the AOC system?

Answer 3

No it is separate. It was created to provide price points in the Bordeaux Commodities Market.

Question 4

Which sub-regions are included in the Classification of 1855?

Answer 4

Medoc, Graves (Pessac-Leognan) and Sauternes.

Question 5

Which other classifications exist in Medoc other than the 1855?

Answer 5

Cru Bourgeois and Cru Artisan.

Question 6

How does the 1855 classification rank its chateaux?

Answer 6

It ranks chateaux from first through to fifth growth.

Question 7

What is the basis of the 1855 Classification?

Answer 7

It reflects, by tiers, the price point at which the top wines in Bordeaux were selling in the 19th century.

Question 8

What was the intention of the original Classification of 1855?

Answer 8

It was a reference guide for setting prices and/or paying taxes.

Question 9

How many chateaux were ranked on the original 1855 document ?

Answer 9

87:
1 from Graves (Pessac-Leognan);
26 from Sauternes and Barsac;
60 from Medoc.

Question 10

How many Medoc chateaux were ranked in the 1855 Classification FOR RED WINES?

Answer 10

60 initially from the Medoc. There was one added as it was left off in error (Cantemerle).

Question 11

How many Chateaux are on the 1855 list for RED WINES today?

Answer 11

There are now 61. In 1973 Chateau Mouton Rothschild was promoted from 2nd Growth to 1st Growth.

Question 12

How were sweet wines categorised in 1855?

Answer 12

They were placed into 3 categories:
Premier Cru Superieur;
Premier Cru;
Deuxieme Cru.

Question 13

What is the only sweet wine chateaux that carries the Premiere Cru Superieur label?

Answer 13

Chateau d’Yquem. It was the most expensive wine in 1855.

Question 14

How many chateaux are classified in Sauternes and Barsac today?

Answer 14

There are now 27. Chateaux which split maintain their status.

Question 15

How many chateaux are in each of the growths of Medoc 1855?

Answer 15

1st Growth: 5 (incl.1 in Pessac Leognan);
2nd Growth: 14;
3rd Growth: 14;
4th Growth: 10;
5th Growth: 18.

Question 16

How many chateaux are in each of the categories of Sauternes and Barsac of 1855?

Answer 16

1 Premiere Cru Superieur;
11 Premiere Crus;
15 Deuxieme Crus.

Question 17

Which five chateaux are contained in the 1st growth?

Answer 17

Chateau Latour; Lafite Rothschild; Mouton Rothschild; Margaux; Haut-Brion.

Question 18

Which communes contain the First growths?

Answer 18

Pauillac: Lafite, Latour, Mouton;
Margaux: Margaux;
Pessac-Leognan: Haut-Brion.

Question 19

How were dry white wines and Right Bank wines classified in 1855?

Answer 19

They weren’t and this is due mainly to their lack of stature at that time.

Question 20

Why was Cru Bourgeois introduced?

Answer 20

There were only a small % of MEDOC chateaux ranked in the 1855 Classification so it was introduced to reflect the other quality wines of the Medoc.

Question 21

When was Cru Bourgeois first introduced?

Answer 21

In 1932 with 444 Chateaux. It was not officially recognised.

Question 22

Why was the Cru Bourgeois list of 2003 short-lived?

Answer 22

It had 247 chateaux and those omitted complained and it was again stood down in 2007. The term “Cru Bourgeois” was banned.

Question 23

How does Cru Bourgeois determine access to the classification? How often is it reviewed?

Answer 23

Chateaux are assessed on taste and other factors such as viticultural and environmental practices. It is awarded for five years.

Question 24

When was the Cru Bourgeois status formally granted?

Answer 24

In 2020 on the 2018 vintage. This followed several years of standards being set and accepted.

Question 25

How many chateaux are currently in the Cru Bourgeois classification?

Answer 25

249

Question 26

How many levels in the Cru Bourgeois Classification?

Answer 26

There are three:
Crus Bourgeois Exceptionnels;
Crus Bourgeois Superieur;
Crus Bourgeois.

Question 27

How often are Cru Bourgeois rankings reviewed?

Answer 27

Every 5 years.

Question 28

What is the Crus Artisans classification?

Answer 28

It recognises “boutique” wineries of quality that are entirely responsible for their own red wine production from vineyard to barrel to bottle.

Question 29

When was Cru Artisan introduced? How many are classified?

Answer 29

Introduced in 2018 for 36 Medoc wineries.

Question 30

When was Graves classification introduced?

Answer 30

In 1953 and revised in 1959. It remains unchanged since.

Question 31

Why is the Graves classification different from the others in Bordeaux?

Answer 31

It is the only one which ranks the wine not the estates.

Question 32

How many categories are there in the Graves Classification?

Answer 32

One only. They can be called Crus Classes de Graves or Grands Crus Classes de Graves.

Question 33

How many wines and estates are ranked in Graves?

Answer 33

22 wines from 16 estates:
6 estates for Red and White;
3 estates for White wine only;
7 estates for Red only

Question 34

In which part of Graves are all of the Crus Classes located?

Answer 34

Pessac-Leognan

Question 35

When was St Emilion classification established?

Answer 35

In 1955 and intended to be reviewed every 10 years.

Question 36

What are the levels in the St Emilion classification?

Answer 36

St Emilion Premiers Grand Cru Classés ‘A’;
St Emilion Premiers Grand Cru Classés ‘B’;
St Emilion Grand Cru Classés.

Question 37

Which is the only 1855 Premiere Cru outside of the Medoc?

Answer 37

Chateau Haut Brion in Pessac-Leognan AOC.

Question 38

How are chateaux graded for Classé status in St. Emilion?

Answer 38

Quality and condition of winery and equipment;
Standing of the estate in the marketplace;
Quality of the wine;
Efforts to create a welcoming environment for visitors.
Must be a Grand Cru AOC first.

Question 39

Is a St. Emilion Grand Cru a classification?

Answer 39

No it is an AOC

Question 40

Which is the only Chateau to be promoted from 2nd Growth to 1st Growth in the 1855 rankings?

Answer 40

Mouton Rothschild in 1973