1855 Classification is a historic ranking of Bordeaux wine estates prepared for the 1855 Exposition Universelle in Paris. The classification was commissioned to present leading Bordeaux wines and was largely based on the market prices and reputation of the estates at the time. It created a hierarchy of growths, or crus, that remains influential in the Bordeaux wine trade.
The red-wine classification includes 61 estates, overwhelmingly from the Médoc, with Château Haut-Brion from Graves also included. The estates are ranked from First Growth (Premier Cru) through Fifth Growth (Cinquième Cru). The five First Growths are Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Margaux, Haut-Brion and Mouton Rothschild.
The 1855 Classification separately ranks sweet-wine estates from Sauternes and Barsac. Château d’Yquem holds the unique rank of Premier Cru Supérieur, followed by estates classified as Premier Cru and Deuxième Cru. This sweet-wine ranking is separate from the red-wine growth classification.
Château Cantemerle was added to the list in 1856, and Château Mouton Rothschild was promoted from Second Growth to First Growth in 1973. The classification is not a complete ranking of all Bordeaux estates and does not automatically reflect the current quality of every vintage.
Example: Château Margaux is a First Growth in the 1855 red-wine classification, while Château d’Yquem is Premier Cru Supérieur in the separate Sauternes classification.
Chef’s tip: use the classification as historical context, then assess the producer, vintage, storage and current condition of the bottle before selecting it for service.
This term is one of hundreds covered in depth across OCS courses, learning paths, and 1-on-1 coaching with Chef Eric.
