Wine & Spirits List - Riviera Wine 2020-2021

BORDEAUX
THE 1855 CLASSIFICATION
In 1855, the emperor Napoléon III requested an official list of the best wines from
Bordeaux to display at the Paris Universal Exhibition. A panel of wine brokers
ranked the red wines and sweet wines of Bordeaux according to a Château’s
reputation and market price. The resulting list has become known as the Bordeaux
Wine Official Classification of 1855.
There are 61 Cru Classés in the classification, with the wines ranked into five
levels from 1 st to 5 th growths (also known as Crus). All of the red wines that made
it on the list came from the Medoc region, except one: Château Haut-Brion from
Graves. The white wines, which were then of much less importance than red wine,
were limited to the sweet varieties of Sauternes and Barsac and only ranked from
1 st to 2 nd growth.
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This system has remained virtually intact, with only one change occurring to the
classification when Château Mouton Rothschild was promoted from 2 nd to 1 st
growth in 1973. It might be interesting to note that the owner of this Château was
a very wealthy and influential man in the region.
Regardless of politics and the age of the classification, the 1 st growths (of which
there are only five) and the second growths are some of the best wines in the world.
RIVIERA WINE BORDEAUX
Prices are stated without tax and are correct at the time of going to print. Many wines are in stock and available for immediate delivery,
however some may take a little longer to deliver (1-3 working days).