The Bordeaux Classification of 1855

The Bordeaux Classification of 1855 was a ranking system for the top wine-producing estates (châteaux) in Bordeaux, France, created for the Exposition Universelle in Paris. Commissioned by the Bordeaux wine brokers, it prioritized the quality and reputation of wines, mainly from the Médoc region and a few others. Estates were classified into five categories called "growths" (Crus), with the most prestigious being Fifth Growths down to First Growths (Premier Crus). Notably, the classification has mostly remained unchanged, heavily influencing Bordeaux’s wine market and reputation, and highlighting a hierarchy based on historical quality and prestige.