The famous 1855 classification was focused on categorizing the wines of Bordeaux, specifically the red wines. This classification was a result of a request made by Napoleon III, who wanted to showcase the very best French wines at the Exposition Universelle de Paris. The aim was to create a ranking system that would distinguish the top Bordeaux reds based on their quality and reputation.
The classification focused primarily on wines from the Medoc region, which is located on the left bank of the Gironde estuary. This region is renowned for its ideal conditions for growing red wine grapes, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon. Out of the sixty wines that were classified, fifty-nine were from the Medoc, highlighting the significance of this area in producing exceptional Bordeaux wines.
The remaining wine that was included in the classification came from Graves, another region in Bordeaux known for producing high-quality wines. Graves is unique in that it is the only region in Bordeaux that is permitted to produce both red and white wines under the classification system. However, in the 1855 classification, only one red wine from Graves was recognized, further emphasizing the dominance of the Medoc wines in terms of quality and prestige.
The classification itself was a hierarchical ranking system, with wines being categorized into five different tiers or growths, known as “crus” in French. These tiers were based on the perceived quality and reputation of the wines at the time. The top tier, or first growth, consisted of the most prestigious wines, while the fifth growth represented wines of slightly lesser quality but still considered excellent.
It is important to note that the 1855 classification was not meant to be a dynamic or evolving system. Once the wines were ranked, the classification remained unchanged, regardless of any improvements or changes in quality that may have occurred over the years. This has led to some criticism and controversy surrounding the classification, as there have been instances where wines outside of the original ranking have risen to prominence and gained recognition for their exceptional quality.
The 1855 classification of Bordeaux wines categorized the top red wines from the Medoc and Graves regions based on their perceived quality and reputation at the time. It remains a significant and influential classification in the world of wine, showcasing the historical excellence of Bordeaux wines and their enduring legacy.