Bordeaux wines are 150 years old

The 1855's classification for Bordeaux wines is still topical for some professionals, whereas for some others, it would deserve a revaluation, which is however difficult to imagine. Everybody agree on one point: the “five first classed growths of 1855” - the châteaux Lafite-Rothschild, Latour, Margaux, Mouton-Rothschild (Médoc) and Haut-Brion (Graves) still remain an undisputed reference. The 1855's classification was established during the Paris World Fair, by the request of the emperor Napoleon III. And this classification “is still applicable”, asserts François Leveque, the President of the Union of Wine-brokers, to answer to these who believe it does not reflect the wines' reality in the Medoc. ”These classified wines still represent the excellence of the Medoc, he goes on, even if you can quibble over some points for some chateaux.” Besides the wine-producing domains have worked hugely to stay at the top.

2005, May 6 - © Le Progrès

Other information :
• Médoc
• Graves
• Bordeaux
• Château Mouton Rothschild
• Château Margaux
• Château Latour
• Château Lafite Rothschild
• Château Haut-Brion