Vinocity in partnership with The City Of Wine
On the occasion of Pessac International History Film Festival 2021
Our guests
Pierre Brana Politician and historian – You are my soldiers: the Aquitains of Napoleon III (with Joëlle Dusseau), Bordeaux, Sud-Ouest, January 2020
Sylvie Cazes President of La Cité Du Vin – Château Chauvin and Château Lynch Bages
Bruno Boidron Editor and Consultant Wine Specialist (Director Ed Féret)
Florence Maffrand Cité Du Vin Partnership Manager
The 1855 classification
This Classification, known to all wine lovers, was published on April 18, 1855, at the request of the Emperor Napoleon III, in view of the Universal Exhibition in Paris.
It is still relevant today … Discover the ranking
Established for a presentation of the wines of the Gironde, within the framework of the Universal Exhibition of Paris, at the request of the Emperor NAPOLEON III. The drafting of the ranking was entrusted by the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce to the “Syndicat des Courtiers de Commerce” at the Bordeaux Stock Exchange. Its mission was to formalize a classification based on the experience of many years and which corresponded to the recognition of the quality of the Terroir and the notoriety of each cru. The elements were drawn from the best sources. Published on April 18, 1855, the Classification was therefore the culmination of a market reality and an evolution that had existed for more than a century. THE CLASSIFICATION OF 1855 IS AS FOLLOWS TODAY: For the Great Red Wines:
5 Châteaux are classified First, 14 Second, 14 Third, 10 Fourth and 18 Fifth, and are spread over 5 Médoc appellations (Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Margaux & Haut-Médoc) and only one in the region of Serious. For Great Sweet Wines:
1 Château is classified Premier Cru Supérieur, 11 are classified Premiers and 15 seconds, and are spread over 2 appellations (Sauternes & Barsac)
Has the 1855 classification of Bordeaux wines aged well?
Meeting within the framework of Pessac International History Film Festival
May 15, 1855. As the Crimean War continues, the Paris World’s Fair attracts the powerful and onlookers – over five million paying visitors in six months. The Universal Exhibition must present the best agricultural and manufacturing products from the participating countries, and also, of course, from the French regions. In this context, the representation of the great French vineyards becomes the issue of a new skirmish in the war that the owners have been waging for a long time against brokers and merchants. And for the first time, the producers, whose wines had until then been presented virtually anonymously – no mention of the owner appearing on the label – will bypass the rule and score points in terms of recognition. In addition, a new classification is established for the occasion. For decades, in fact, Bordeaux wines have been classified into three, four, then five categories. Several of these rankings have become benchmarks. Obviously, the lists have evolved, especially those of the third, fourth and fifth growths. Obviously too, as the classification largely determines the prices, there have been many pressures. The list of classified growths, quickly established for the 1855 classification, is thought to be temporary, like the previous ones, but it does not create any surprises, being hardly different from the previous choices made by the brokers. This temporary classification, against all expectations, will however become “final”.