The 1855 Classification of Fine Bordeaux Wines

Faced with stiff competition from its British and German neighbours in the artistic, cultural and scientific arenas, France decided to use the 1855 Paris World Fair to showcase to its impressive range of fine wines from prestigious châteaux, as well as its highly developed market structure. At the request of Napoléon III, the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce mandated the region's brokers to develop a five-tier classification system. Their evaluation was based entirely on the market price various Bordeaux wines demanded. In all, sixty-one Crus from Médoc and one Graves were classified, in addition to twenty-six sweet white Crus from Sauternes. The wines of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol were not included in the 1855 classification.

The "First Growth" Châteaux (Grands Crus)

Château Lafite-Rothschild – Pauillac

Château Latour – Pauillac

Château Mouton-Rothschild – Pauillac

Château Margaux – Margaux

Château Haut-Brion – Graves (now called Pessac-Léognan)

Château d'Yquem – Sauternes (Superior First Growth)

Château Pétrus – Pomerol (Unclassified Growth)