France - Bordeaux Classification Flashcards
What is the 1855 classification of grand cru classé often referred to as, and what is it based on?
Cru classé.
The prices that were paid for the wines in the Médoc (and Haut-Brion) at the time.
What were the wines of the Médoc and Sauternes ranked into?
Médoc: First to Fifth growths.
Sauternes: first and second growths, with d’Yquem awarded its own special category ‘Premier Cru Supérieur’.
How has the 1855 classification changed since it was introduced, and what does it affect?
There’s been minor modifications but it is essentially unaltered.
It continues to affect the prices paid.
How much of Médoc wine production does cru classé represent?
About a quarter.
What is a requirement regarding bottling that is included in being a classed growth? Is this common with other estates?
Wines must be bottled at the estate.
Today, many other wineries also bottle at the estate.
How many properties/chateaux does the 1855 classification include, and how are they classed?
60 from the Médoc, and 1 from Graves.
Ranked in 5 tiers, referred to as crus/growths: first growths/premiers crus - fifth growths/cinquièmes crus.
When was the Graves classification introduced? What was it based on?
1959.
Based on pricing, fame and quality as judged by tasting.
How many Châteaux are included in the Graves classification, what wines are included and how are they ranked within?
16 châteaux all located within Pessac-Leognan for their red, white or both.
There are no sub-divisions.
What wines does the Saint-Émilion classification apply to?
Only some wines within the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOC, the name of the appellation. (i.e. wines that are labelled Saint-Émilion AOC or Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOC are not within the classification)
When does the Saint-Emilion classification date back to, and how often is it revised?
1955.
Revised at approximately 10 year intervals, with (at the time of writing this text book) the revision of 2012 stands though one was started in 2022.
In the Saint-Emilion classification, what are the Châteaux judged on, and what are the tiers within?
Their terroir, methods of production, reputation and commercial considerations, and a blind tasting of at least 10 vintages.
There are 3 tiers:
Premier Grand Cru A
Premier Grand Cru B
Grand Cru Classé
When was the Cru Bourgeois du Médoc classification created, and what did it seek to differentiate?
1932.
It established a level of quality below Cru Classé, though superior to other estates.
What change was made to the Cru Bourgeois du Médoc classification in 2010, what was the award based on, and who can apply?
The Cru Beorgeois label was awarded to individual winea rather than to Châteaux.
Awarded as a mark of quality based on an assessment of both production methods and the finished product.
Any estate can apply.
What has been established since 2018 for the Cru Bourgeois du Médoc classification?
Châteaux will be classified into 3 tiers of quality:
Cru Bourgeois, Cru Bourgeois Supérieur and Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel.
This classification will last 5 years.
Which is the top quality appellation without a classification system?
Pomerol.
