About the classification
In Bordeaux, on the Left Bank, and especially in the Médoc, wines are classified into five quality levels according to the historical classification of 1855: from Premier Cru (1st Growth) to Cinquième Cru (5th Growth). On the Right Bank, in the Saint-Émilion region, classification follows its own system. Here, the categories range from Grand Cru Classé to Premier Grand Cru Classé B, up to the highest distinction, Premier Grand Cru Classé A.
At the top were five wineries, which remain unchanged at the pinnacle to this day.
- Château Lafite-Rothschild
- Château Latour
- Château Margaux
- Château Haut-Brion
- and since 1973, Château Mouton Rothschild
The latter is a story in itself: when the 1855 classification was published, Mouton Rothschild was categorized as a Deuxième Cru, or second growth. In 1973, then Minister of Agriculture Jacques Chirac signed a decree elevating Mouton Rothschild to the status of Premier Grand Cru Classé. For decades, Baron Philippe de Rothschild fought for recognition of his winery, modernized production, introduced the then-revolutionary château bottling in 1924, and shaped the house's style with artistically designed labels. His motto – "Premier je suis, Second je fus, Mouton ne change" ("First I am, Second I was, Mouton does not change") – became a symbol of his unwavering ambition.
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