First Growth
Encyclopedia
First Growth status refers to a classification of wine
s primarily from the Bordeaux
region of France.
. The result was the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855
, a list of the top ranked wines, named the Grand Crus Classés (Great Classified Growths). With several thousand different Chateaux producing their own wines in Bordeaux, to be classified was to carry a mark of high prestige.
Within the Grand Cru Classé list wines were further ranked and placed in one of five divisions. The best of the best wines were assigned the highest rank of Premier Cru; only four wines, Château Latour
, Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Margaux
and Château Haut-Brion
were deemed worthy. Of all the 61 great classified wines, all but one came from the Médoc
region. The exception was the premier cru Château Haut-Brion, produced in Graves
.
The 1855 list remained unchanged for over a hundred years until finally Mouton Rothschild
was promoted to Premier Cru status in 1973, after decades of relentless lobbying by its powerful owner, Baron Philippe de Rothschild
. Of lesser importance, in 1988 the premier cru Château Haut-Brion was changed in appellation from Graves to Pessac-Leognan
to represent apparent changes in soil structure caused by the urbanisation of areas surrounding Bordeaux.
) was considered so great it was granted a special Premier Cru Supérieur classification.
, Saint-Émilion
and Pomerol
. For details on their own classification schemes, see their sections below.
maintains its own classification scheme based on specific appellation
s. Although the terminology used is similar, the classification hierarchy is different and also attaches to the vineyards themselves. The most highly rated vineyards are graded as Grand Cru, while those at the next level are classified as Premier Cru.
The communes of Bommes, Fargues and Preignac were once separate communes but now fall into the single commune of Sauternes.
the omission of wines of Graves from the official classification was having a negative effect on the price and desirability of wines from the region. To improve marketing the region announced in 1953 its own classification
of red wines and one white wine, with more white wines added in 1959. Sixteen wines were given special classification.
offered its own classification in 1955 to improve market demand and prices. The Classification of Saint-Émilion wine
differs from the 1855 list in that it is updated approximately every ten years based on new assessments of quality. For each new release of the classification, wines may be promoted or demoted within the list. A wine may even be removed entirely, while other unclassified wines may be added. In 2006, for example, 11 wines were removed from the list, 6 new wines added, and 2 existing wines promoted to a higher division.
The Saint-Émilion Classification currently labels 15 wines as First Growths. These Premiers Grands Crus Classés, subdivided into two further classes : A (2 wines) and B (13 wines). A further 55 wines are currently classified as Grands Crus Classés.
.
Wine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage, made of fermented fruit juice, usually from grapes. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, or other nutrients. Grape wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes using various types of yeast. Yeast...
s primarily from the Bordeaux
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in the Gironde department in southwestern France.The Bordeaux-Arcachon-Libourne metropolitan area, has a population of 1,010,000 and constitutes the sixth-largest urban area in France. It is the capital of the Aquitaine region, as well as the prefecture...
region of France.
Bordeaux reds
The need for a classification of the best Bordeaux wines arose for the 1855 Exposition Universelle de ParisExposition Universelle (1855)
The Exposition Universelle of 1855 was an International Exhibition held on the Champs-Elysées in Paris from May 15 to November 15, 1855. Its full official title was the Exposition Universelle des produits de l'Agriculture, de l'Industrie et des Beaux-Arts de Paris 1855.The exposition was a major...
. The result was the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855
Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855
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 which were to be on display for visitors from around the world...
, a list of the top ranked wines, named the Grand Crus Classés (Great Classified Growths). With several thousand different Chateaux producing their own wines in Bordeaux, to be classified was to carry a mark of high prestige.
Within the Grand Cru Classé list wines were further ranked and placed in one of five divisions. The best of the best wines were assigned the highest rank of Premier Cru; only four wines, Château Latour
Château Latour
Château Latour is a French wine estate, rated as a First Growth under the 1855 Bordeaux Classification. Latour lies at the very southeastern tip of the commune of Pauillac in the Médoc region to the north-west of Bordeaux, at its border with Saint-Julien, and only a few hundred metres from the...
, Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Margaux
Château Margaux
Château Margaux, archaically La Mothe de Margaux, is a wine estate of Bordeaux wine, and was one of four wines to achieve Premier cru status in the Bordeaux Classification of 1855. The estate's best wines are very expensive...
and Château Haut-Brion
Château Haut-Brion
Château Haut-Brion is a French wine, rated a Premier Cru Classé , produced in the Gironde region. It differs from the other wines on the list in its geographic location in the north of the wine-growing region of Graves...
were deemed worthy. Of all the 61 great classified wines, all but one came from the Médoc
Médoc
The Médoc is a region of France, well known as a wine growing region, located in the département of Gironde, on the left bank of the Gironde estuary, north of Bordeaux. Its name comes from Medullicus, or "country of the Medulli", the local Celtic tribe...
region. The exception was the premier cru Château Haut-Brion, produced in Graves
Graves
Graves is an important subregion of the Bordeaux wine region. Graves is situated on the left bank of the Garonne river, in the upstream part of the region, southeast of the city Bordeaux and stretch over...
.
The 1855 list remained unchanged for over a hundred years until finally Mouton Rothschild
Château Mouton Rothschild
Château Mouton Rothschild is a wine estate located in the village of Pauillac in the Médoc, 50 km north-west of the city of Bordeaux, France. Its red wine of the same name is regarded as one of the world's greatest clarets. Originally known as Château Brane-Mouton it was renamed by Nathaniel...
was promoted to Premier Cru status in 1973, after decades of relentless lobbying by its powerful owner, Baron Philippe de Rothschild
Philippe de Rothschild
Baron Philippe de Rothschild was a member of the Rothschild banking dynasty who became a Grand Prix race-car driver, a screenwriter and playwright, a theatrical producer, a film producer, a poet, and one of the most successful wine growers in the world.-Early life:Born in Paris, Georges Philippe...
. Of lesser importance, in 1988 the premier cru Château Haut-Brion was changed in appellation from Graves to Pessac-Leognan
Pessac-Léognan
Pessac-Léognan is a French wine appellation, within the Graves subregion of the Bordeaux wine region. Both red and white wine is produced within the appellation, which consists of 10 communes: Cadaujac, Canéjan, Gradignan, Léognan, Martillac, Mérignac, Pessac, Saint-Médard-d'Eyrans, Talence and...
to represent apparent changes in soil structure caused by the urbanisation of areas surrounding Bordeaux.
Bordeaux sweet wines
Also in 1855, 21 of the best sweet wines from Bordeaux were classified as Grand Crus Classés in a separate list. In the original classification, 9 wines (primarily from the Sauternes and Barsac regions) were classed as Premier Cru, while 11 were assigned the lower (though still prestigious) rank of Deuxième Cru (Second Growth). One wine (Château d'YquemChâteau d'Yquem
Château d'Yquem is a Premier Cru Supérieur wine from the Sauternes, Gironde region in the southern part of the Bordeaux vineyards known as Graves. In the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855, Château d'Yquem was the only Sauternes given this rating, indicating its perceived superiority...
) was considered so great it was granted a special Premier Cru Supérieur classification.
Other classification schemes in Bordeaux
With the exception of Château Haut-Brion from Graves, the 1855 Classification did not include producers in the regions of GravesGraves
Graves is an important subregion of the Bordeaux wine region. Graves is situated on the left bank of the Garonne river, in the upstream part of the region, southeast of the city Bordeaux and stretch over...
, Saint-Émilion
Saint-Émilion AOC
Saint-Émilion is an Appellation d'origine contrôlée for wine in the Bordeaux wine region of France, where it is situated in the Libourne subregion on the right bank of the Dordogne...
and Pomerol
Pomerol
Pomerol is a commune in the Gironde department in Aquitaine in southwestern France.It is located near Bordeaux.-Population:-Wine:The mostly small-sized producers in this area of about produce red wines. As in the neighbouring appellation of Saint-Émilion, the predominant grape variety is Merlot,...
. For details on their own classification schemes, see their sections below.
Other classification schemes in France
BurgundyBurgundy wine
Burgundy wine is wine made in the Burgundy region in eastern France, in the valleys and slopes west of the Saône River, a tributary of the Rhône. The most famous wines produced here - those commonly referred to as "Burgundies" - are red wines made from Pinot Noir grapes or white wines made from...
maintains its own classification scheme based on specific appellation
Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée
Appellation d’origine contrôlée , which translates as "controlled designation of origin", is the French certification granted to certain French geographical indications for wines, cheeses, butters, and other agricultural products, all under the auspices of the government bureau Institut National...
s. Although the terminology used is similar, the classification hierarchy is different and also attaches to the vineyards themselves. The most highly rated vineyards are graded as Grand Cru, while those at the next level are classified as Premier Cru.
Premier Grand Cru
- Château Lafite Rothschild Médoc (PauillacPauillacPauillac is a commune in the Gironde department in Aquitaine in southwestern France.-Population:-Wine:The commune consists of only 3000 acres of vineyards in the Haut-Médoc between the villages of Saint-Julien to the south and Saint-Estèphe to the north, but is home to three of Bordeaux's five...
) - Château MargauxChâteau MargauxChâteau Margaux, archaically La Mothe de Margaux, is a wine estate of Bordeaux wine, and was one of four wines to achieve Premier cru status in the Bordeaux Classification of 1855. The estate's best wines are very expensive...
Médoc (MargauxMargauxMargaux is a commune in the Gironde department in Aquitaine in southwestern France.-Geography:The village lies in the Haut Médoc wine making region on the left bank of the Garonne estuary, northwest of the city of Bordeaux.-Population:-Wines:...
) - Château LatourChâteau LatourChâteau Latour is a French wine estate, rated as a First Growth under the 1855 Bordeaux Classification. Latour lies at the very southeastern tip of the commune of Pauillac in the Médoc region to the north-west of Bordeaux, at its border with Saint-Julien, and only a few hundred metres from the...
Médoc (Pauillac) - Château Haut-BrionChâteau Haut-BrionChâteau Haut-Brion is a French wine, rated a Premier Cru Classé , produced in the Gironde region. It differs from the other wines on the list in its geographic location in the north of the wine-growing region of Graves...
Pessac-Leognan - Château Mouton-RothschildChâteau Mouton RothschildChâteau Mouton Rothschild is a wine estate located in the village of Pauillac in the Médoc, 50 km north-west of the city of Bordeaux, France. Its red wine of the same name is regarded as one of the world's greatest clarets. Originally known as Château Brane-Mouton it was renamed by Nathaniel...
Médoc (Pauillac)
Premier Cru
- Château La Tour BlancheChâteau La Tour BlancheChâteau La Tour Blanche, or La Tour-Blanche, is a sweet white wine ranked as Premier Cru Classé in the original Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855...
, Bommes (Sauternes) - Château Lafaurie-PeyragueyChâteau Lafaurie-PeyragueyChâteau Lafaurie-Peyraguey is a Premier Cru Classé Sauternes wine from the Sauternes appellation. The winery is located in the southern part of France’s Bordeaux wine region in the district of Graves in the commune of Bommes, and its château is situated on a hill top facing Sauternes' highest...
, Bommes (Sauternes) - Château Clos Haut-Peyraguey, Bommes (Sauternes)
- Château de Rayne-VigneauChâteau de Rayne-VigneauChâteau de Rayne-Vigneau is a sweet white wine ranked as Premier Cru Classé in the original Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855. Belonging to the Sauternes appellation in Gironde, in the region of Graves, the winery is located in Bommes....
, Bommes (Sauternes) - Château SuduirautChâteau SuduirautChâteau Suduiraut, formerly Cru du Roy and Château de Suduiraut, is a sweet white wine ranked as Premier Cru Classé in the original Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855. Belonging to the Sauternes appellation in Gironde, in the region of Graves, the winery is located in Preignac, adjacent...
, Preignac (Sauternes) - Château CoutetChâteau CoutetChâteau Coutet is a Premier Cru Classé sweet wine from the Sauternes-Barsac appellation located in Barsac, in the southern part of France’s Bordeaux vineyards...
, Barsac - Château ClimensChâteau ClimensChâteau Climens is a Premier Cru Classé Sauternes wine producer from the Barsac appellation. The estate is located in the southern part of France’s Bordeaux wine region in the district of :Graves, an eighth of a mile away from Barsac's other most historically rated vineyard, Château Coutet.It is a...
, Barsac - Château GuiraudChâteau GuiraudChâteau Guiraud is a sweet white wine ranked as Premier Cru Classé in the original Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855. Belonging to the Sauternes appellation in Gironde, in the region of Graves, the winery is located in the commune of Sauternes. The estate vine plantings consist of 65%...
, Sauternes - Château RieussecChâteau RieussecChâteau Rieussec is a sweet white wine ranked as Premier Cru Classé in the original Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855. Belonging to the Sauternes appellation in Gironde, in the region of Graves, the winery is located in the commune of Fargues.-External links:*...
, Fargues (Sauternes) - Château Rabaud-PromisChâteau Rabaud-PromisChâteau Rabaud-Promis is a sweet white wine ranked as Premier Cru Classé in the original Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855. Belonging to the Sauternes appellation in Gironde, in the region of Graves, the winery is located in the commune of Bommes.-References:...
, Bommes (Sauternes) - Château Sigalas-RabaudChâteau Sigalas-RabaudChâteau Sigalas-Rabaud, previously also named Château Rabaud-Sigalas, is a sweet white wine ranked as Premier Cru Classé in the original Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855. Belonging to the Sauternes appellation in Gironde, in the region of Graves, the winery is located in the commune...
, Bommes (Sauternes)
The communes of Bommes, Fargues and Preignac were once separate communes but now fall into the single commune of Sauternes.
The Graves classification
After the Second World WarWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
the omission of wines of Graves from the official classification was having a negative effect on the price and desirability of wines from the region. To improve marketing the region announced in 1953 its own classification
Classification of Graves wine
The wines of Graves in the wine-growing region of Bordeaux were classified in 1953 by a jury appointed by Institute Nacional des Appellations d'Origine, and approved by the Minister of Agriculture in August of that year. The selection was revised with a few additions in February 1959...
of red wines and one white wine, with more white wines added in 1959. Sixteen wines were given special classification.
- Château BouscautChâteau BouscautChâteau Bouscaut is a Bordeaux wine from the Pessac-Léognan appellation, ranked among the Premiers Crus for red and dry white wine in the Classification of Graves wine of 1953 and 1959...
(red & white) - Château CarbonnieuxChâteau CarbonnieuxChâteau Carbonnieux is a Bordeaux wine estate located in the Pessac-Léognan region of the Graves. The estate was one the first estates included in the Graves wine classification and is known for its red and white wine production....
(red & white) - Château CouhinsChâteau CouhinsChâteau Couhins is a Bordeaux wine from the Pessac-Léognan appellation, ranked among the Premiers Crus for dry white wine in the Classification of Graves wine of 1959...
(white) - Château Couhins-LurtonChâteau Couhins-LurtonChâteau Couhins-Lurton is a Bordeaux wine from the Pessac-Léognan appellation, ranked among the Premiers Crus for dry white wine in the Classification of Graves wine of 1959...
(white) - Domaine de ChevalierDomaine de ChevalierDomaine de Chevalier is a Bordeaux wine from the Pessac-Léognan appellation, ranked among the Premiers Crus for red and white wine in the Classification of Graves wine of 1953 and 1959. The winery and vineyards are located south of the city of Bordeaux, in the commune of Léognan...
(red & white) - Château de FieuzalChâteau de FieuzalChâteau de Fieuzal is a Bordeaux wine from the Pessac-Léognan appellation, ranked among the Premiers Crus for red wine in the Classification of Graves wine of 1953 and 1959, though the estate also produces a dry white wine which was not classified...
(red) - Château Haut-BaillyChâteau Haut-BaillyChâteau Haut-Bailly is a Bordeaux wine from the Pessac-Léognan appellation, ranked among the Premiers Crus for red wine in the Classification of Graves wine of 1953 and 1959. The winery and vineyards are located south of the city of Bordeaux, in the commune of Léognan.Château Haut-Bailly's vineyard...
(red) - Château Haut-BrionChâteau Haut-BrionChâteau Haut-Brion is a French wine, rated a Premier Cru Classé , produced in the Gironde region. It differs from the other wines on the list in its geographic location in the north of the wine-growing region of Graves...
(red) - Château La Mission Haut-BrionChâteau La Mission Haut-BrionChâteau la Mission Haut-Brion is a Bordeaux wine from the Pessac-Léognan appellation, classed among the Grand Crus in the Graves classification of 1953...
(red) - Château La Tour Haut-BrionChâteau La Tour Haut-BrionChâteau La Tour Haut-Brion was a Bordeaux wine estate from the Pessac-Léognan appellation within Graves, and was ranked as a Cru Classé for red wine in the Classification of Graves wine of 1953 and 1959...
(red) - Château Latour-MartillacChâteau Latour-MartillacChâteau Latour-Martillac, previously Château La Tour-Martillac and known as Kressmann La Tour, is a Bordeaux wine from the Pessac-Léognan appellation, rated a Classed Growth in the 1953 Classification of Graves wine...
(red & white) - Château Laville Haut-BrionChâteau Laville Haut-BrionChâteau Laville Haut-Brion was a Bordeaux dry white wine from the Pessac-Léognan appellation, which was ranked among the Premiers Crus in the Classification of Graves wine of 1953...
(white) - Château Malartic-LagravièreChâteau Malartic-LagravièreChâteau Malartic-Lagravière, originally Domaine de Lagravière, is a Bordeaux wine from the Pessac-Léognan appellation, ranked among the Premiers Crus for red and white wine in the Classification of Graves wine of 1953 and 1959...
(red & white) - Château OlivierChâteau OlivierChâteau Olivier is a Bordeaux wine from the Pessac-Léognan appellation, ranked among the Premiers Crus for red and dry white wine in the Classification of Graves wine of 1953 and 1959...
(red & white) - Château Pape ClémentChâteau Pape ClémentChâteau Pape Clément is a Bordeaux wine from the Pessac-Léognan appellation, ranked among the Premiers Crus for red wine in the Classification of Graves wine of 1959. It is the oldest wine estate in Bordeaux, harvesting its 700th vintage in 2006. The winery and vineyards are located in the...
(red) - Château Smith Haut LafitteChâteau Smith Haut LafitteChâteau Smith Haut Lafitte is a Bordeaux wine from the Pessac-Léognan appellation, ranked among the Premiers Crus for red wine in the Classification of Graves wine of 1953 and 1959...
(red)
The Saint-Émilion classification
Missing from the 1855 list, the Bordeaux region of Saint-ÉmilionSaint-Émilion AOC
Saint-Émilion is an Appellation d'origine contrôlée for wine in the Bordeaux wine region of France, where it is situated in the Libourne subregion on the right bank of the Dordogne...
offered its own classification in 1955 to improve market demand and prices. The Classification of Saint-Émilion wine
Classification of Saint-Émilion wine
In 1955 the wines of Saint-Émilion in the wine-growing region of Bordeaux were classified. Unlike the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855 covering wines from the Medoc and Graves regions, the Saint-Émilion list is updated every 10 years or so. Following the initial classification, the...
differs from the 1855 list in that it is updated approximately every ten years based on new assessments of quality. For each new release of the classification, wines may be promoted or demoted within the list. A wine may even be removed entirely, while other unclassified wines may be added. In 2006, for example, 11 wines were removed from the list, 6 new wines added, and 2 existing wines promoted to a higher division.
The Saint-Émilion Classification currently labels 15 wines as First Growths. These Premiers Grands Crus Classés, subdivided into two further classes : A (2 wines) and B (13 wines). A further 55 wines are currently classified as Grands Crus Classés.
Premiers Grands Crus Classés B
- Château AngélusChâteau AngélusChâteau Angélus, until 1990 known as Château L'Angélus, or simply L'Angélus, is a Bordeaux wine from the appellation Saint-Émilion, ranked Premier grand cru classé B in the Classification of Saint-Émilion wine...
- Château Beauséjour (Duffau-Lagarrosse)Château Beauséjour (Duffau-Lagarrosse)Château Beauséjour, formerly fully titled Château Beauséjour-Duffau-Lagarrosse, is a Bordeaux wine from the appellation Saint-Émilion, ranked Premier grand cru classé B in the Classification of Saint-Émilion wine...
- Château Beau-Séjour BécotChâteau Beau-Séjour BécotChâteau Beau-Séjour Bécot, formerly Château Beauséjour-Dr-Fagouet, is a Bordeaux wine from the appellation Saint-Émilion, ranked Premier grand cru classé B in the Classification of Saint-Émilion wine...
- Château BelairChâteau BelairChâteau Belair is a Bordeaux wine from the appellation Saint-Émilion, ranked Premier grand cru classé B in the Classification of Saint-Émilion wine. The winery is located in the Right Bank of France’s Bordeaux wine region in the commune of Saint-Émilion, in the department Gironde...
- Château CanonChâteau Canon (Saint-Émilion)Château Canon, originally Clos St-Martin, is a Bordeaux wine from the Saint-Émilion appellation, ranked among the Premiers grands crus classés B in the Classification of Saint-Émilion wine...
- Château FigeacChâteau FigeacChâteau Figeac is a wine estate in the Saint-Émilion appellation of Bordeaux. It is the largest estate in Saint-Émilion, with of vineyards. Due to its soil, which is dominated by gravel, it is planted in grape varieties Cabernet Sauvignon , Cabernet Franc , and Merlot...
- Château La GaffelièreChâteau La GaffelièreChâteau La Gaffelière, previously Château Gaffelière-Naudes, is a Bordeaux wine from the Saint-Émilion appellation, ranked among the Premiers grands crus classés B in the Classification of Saint-Émilion wine...
- Château MagdelaineChâteau MagdelaineChâteau Magdelaine is a Bordeaux wine from the appellation Saint-Émilion, ranked Premier grand cru classé B in the Classification of Saint-Émilion wine...
- Château PavieChâteau PavieChâteau Pavie is a winery in Saint-Émilion in the Bordeaux region of France. It lies on the plateau to the southeast of St Emilion village. In 1954 it was classified in the second rank of the Classification of Saint-Émilion wine, as a Premier Grand Cru Classé .-History:Like other vineyards in...
- Château Pavie-MacquinChâteau Pavie-MacquinChâteau Pavie-Macquin is a Bordeaux wine from the appellation Saint-Émilion, ranked Premier grand cru classé B in the Classification of Saint-Émilion wine. The winery is one of three Pavie estates, along with Château Pavie and Château Pavie-Decesse, located in the Right Bank of France’s Bordeaux...
- Château Troplong MondotChâteau Troplong MondotChâteau Troplong Mondot is a Bordeaux wine from the appellation Saint-Émilion, ranked Premier grand cru classé B in the Classification of Saint-Émilion wine...
- Château TrottevieilleChâteau TrottevieilleChâteau Trotte Vieille, alternately Château Trottevieille, is a Bordeaux wine producer from the appellation Saint-Émilion, ranked Premier grand cru classé B in the Classification of Saint-Émilion wine...
- Clos FourtetClos FourtetClos Fourtet, previously Château Clos Fourtet and archaichally Camfourtet, is a Bordeaux wine from the appellation Saint-Émilion, ranked Premier grand cru classé B in the Classification of Saint-Émilion wine...
Pomerol
Pomerol has refused to create any sort of classification scheme but it has produced red wines that are among the most expensive in the world, such as Château PétrusChâteau Pétrus
Pétrus is a Bordeaux wine estate located in the Pomerol appellation near its eastern border to Saint-Émilion. An estate of limited size, it produces a limited production red wine almost entirely from Merlot grapes, on occasion with small amounts of Cabernet Franc, and produces no second wine...
.