Wine Official Classification of 1855
Definition - What does the Wine Official Classification of 1855 mean?
The 1855 Bordeaux Wine Official Classification is a historic system for ranking the wines of the Médoc and Sauternes regions of Bordeaux, France. This classification, initiated for the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1855 at the request of Emperor Napoleon III, remains one of the most renowned and enduring wine classification systems in the world.
WhineFrog explains Wine Official Classification of 1855
The Wine Official Classification of 1855 is a historic ranking system for wines from the Bordeaux region of France, established for the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1855. It classified Bordeaux wines, particularly from the Médoc and Sauternes regions, into five categories of quality, known as 'Growths', based on wine prices and reputation at that time. The classification, which includes famous First Growth wines like Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Margaux, has remained largely unchanged and continues to be a significant marker of quality and prestige in the wine industry.
