Bordeaux Classifications Flashcards
(30 cards)
What year did Cru Bourgeois officially originate and what year marks the most recent classification?
1932 and 2025. (It had existed unofficially since 1850.)
How many châteaux were in the original 1932 Cru Bourgeois classification and how many are in the current 2025 one?
444 and 170.
How are the 170 chateaux of 2025 subclassified?
120 Cru Bourgeois, 36 Cru Superieur, & 14 Cru Exceptionnel
How are the Cru Bourgeois classified today – how often and by what criteria?
They are classified by the Bureau Veritas every 5 years (2025 most recent) by 4 criteria, including blind tastings, viticultural practices & environment, vinification (barrel aging, individual parcels), and Chateau prominence & promotional practices.
Is the Cru Bourgeois certified by the Federal Gov? How is the Cru Bourgeois administered?
It is certified by the “Alliance of Cru Bourgeois of Medoc” and recognized by the EU (1976). (It is NOT certified by the Federal Government.) And the q5 classification (including site visits and tastings) is overseen by the “Bureaux Veritas.”
What percent of wine produced in Bordeaux is accounted for by Cru Bourgeois, and how many hectares is that?
25%, 4100 hectares (and 29 million bottles a year).
From 2009 to 2023, all vintages of Cru Bourgeois were good except for which 2?
All were good except for 2011 and 2013. BTW, 2000, 2005 and 2006 were also good.
What were the major years of reclassification of Cru Bourgeois since the 1932 inception?
2003, 2007, 2009, 2015, 2020, 2025.
To be considered for Cru Bourgeois classification, how many vintages years of wine must a château provide to the Bureaux Veritas commission?
5 vintages.
What appellations must the Cru Bourgeois come from?
The “MEDOC Cru Bougeois” must be from any of the 8 Medoc appellations – Medoc, Haut Medoc, St. Estephe, Paulliac, St. Jullien, Margoux, Listrac, or Moulis.
What 2 certifications will you find on a Cru Bourgeois wine bottle?
A certification label - “Cru Bourgeois” - and a QR Code.
Which previous top Cru Bourgeois producers have opted out?
Potensac, Haut Marbuzet, Phelan Segur, Poujeaux, Sociando Mallet, and other chateaux that were undeniably the top Crus Bourgeois producers are still no longer part of the classification of Crus Bourgeois.
What is the name of the competing organization to Cru Bourgeois formed by previous CB members?
Les Exceptionnels
Name the 2 top Cru Bourgeois producers who have opted out of both the Cru Bourgeois and the Les Exceptionnels.
Ch Phelan Segur and Ch Haut-Marbuzet
When was the “Modern Era of the Cru Bourgeois” formed; how many classes were there and how many Chateaux made it onto the list?
2003 with 3 classes (CB, CS, CE) numbering 247 chateaux.
When was the original “pre history” Cru Bourgeois formed and by whom?
1850 when “Cocks and Feret” created 3 classes – CB, Bon CB, and CB Superier. The current classification came in 1932, and it wasn’t until 1962 was there a “Syndicate of Cru Bourgeois wines” established, later to change their name to the “Alliance de Cru Bourgeois du Medoc.”
What is the current (2025) system for Cru Bourgeois?
Cru Bourgeois wines are reclassified (CB, CC, CE) every 5 years by the “Alliance of Cru Bourgeois of Medoc” as rated by the “Bureaux Veritas”, following 4 criteria based on tastings and site visits (tastings (5 vintages), viticulture & vinification techniques, chateaux status, and promotional activities). In 2025, there were 170 total, broken down to 120, 36 & 14 respectively.
What were the years of Cru Bourgeois turbulence (lawsuits, complaints, etc.)?
2003-2010.
What are the dates for the 1) Unofficial Cru Bourgeois start, 2) Official Cru Bourgeois start, 3) Official Cru Bourgeois Syndicate (Alliance), 4) Date of EU Recognition 5) Modern Era, 6) Years of Turbulence, and 7) Most recent classification of 170?
- 1850
- 1932 (Bordeaux Ch of Commerce/Agriculture)
- 1962 (Alliance of Cru Bourgeois du Medoc)
- 1976
- 2002
- 2003-2010
- 2025 (170 chateaux)
What are the dates of EU recognition of Cru Bourgeois and Cru Artisan?
1976 and 1994 respectively.
Governing bodies of Cru Bourgeois and Cru Artisan?
Alliance of Cru Bourgeois of Medoc (CBA) and Syndicate of Cru Artisan of Medoc (CAS).
What bodies under the Cru Bourgeois Alliance and Cru Artisan Syndicate are charged with evaluations of Chateaus?
The Bureau Veritas (CBA) reclassifies every five years based on four criteria (tastings, viticulture/environment, vinification/barrel aging/parcels, promotions). A Panel of Industry Experts reclassifies every five years based on site visits and tastings.
Does the EU recognize the Cru Bougeois and Cru Artisan wines? How?
Yes (in 1976 and 1994 respectively). The CB’s labels have an authorized Logo and QR Code, and the CA’s label has an authorized designation.
What is the regulating body for the St. Emilion 1955 Classification?
The INAO (with the assistance of the Ministries of Agriculture and Consumption) at the request of the Syndicate de Defense de Appellation Origines, St. Emilion.
