The 1855 classification and the Bordeaux classifications
In 1855, Napoleon III, in view of the Universal Exhibition, requested for the first time to rank the wines of the Médoc . Nearly 2 centuries later, this classification, which has only been “modified” once, is still THE reference.
It's a bit like if the grade you got on your first English test in 6th grade had remained valid throughout your schooling.
The 1855 classification
The 1855 classification is divided into two categories: on one side, the reds from the Médoc (with the exception of Château Haut-Brion, which is in the Graves vineyard in Pessac-Leognan). On the other side, the sweet whites from Sauternes and Barsac.
In red, unfortunately, the 1er crus have become speculative objects. Not a bottle for less than €400.
No wonder Baron de Rotschild skillfully maneuvered throughout his life to see his now famous Château Mouton-Rotschild included in the Premiers Crus. It was in 1973 and do you know who, then Minister of Agriculture, made the decision to upgrade the Château in this way?
Other rankings
The notoriety of the 1855 classification and its influence on prices gave some ideas to the owners of Bordeaux.
Thus, three other rankings were created in the wake of that of 1955.
The Crus Bourgeois, which is a bit like the antechamber of the 1855 classification. The Saint-Emilion classification, where we find the famous Château Angélus. And the Graves wine classification in which, if you remember correctly, Haut-Brion does not appear.
The embarrassing 1943 ranking
Throughout history there have been many attempts to create rankings and some are less glorious than others.
In 1943, under the impetus of the Vichy regime, a classification of Pomerol wines (in particular) was created. With on the paper of this classification the Nazi eagle accompanied by the swastika. A classification which still exists, of course, but which can be claimed today.