First Growth

First Growth is a term used in the classification of wines, particularly in the Bordeaux wine region of France. It refers to the highest classification of wines from the Bordeaux region, specifically those from the Médoc and Graves regions. The classification was established in 1855 during the Exposition Universelle de Paris at the request of Emperor Napoleon III.

History

The 1855 classification was created to showcase the best wines of Bordeaux to visitors from around the world. The wines were ranked based on their reputation and trading price at the time. The classification has remained largely unchanged since its inception, with only one significant addition: Château Mouton Rothschild was promoted from Second Growth to First Growth status in 1973.

The First Growths

The original First Growths, known as Premiers Crus, include:

• Château Lafite Rothschild
• Château Latour
• Château Margaux
• Château Haut-Brion
• Château Mouton Rothschild (added in 1973)

These estates are renowned for producing some of the most prestigious and expensive wines in the world.

Significance

First Growth wines are highly sought after for their quality, aging potential, and historical significance. They are often used as benchmarks for other wines and are a symbol of prestige in the wine industry. The classification has also influenced other wine regions to establish their own classification systems.

Related Classifications

In addition to the First Growths, the 1855 classification includes Second Growths (Deuxièmes Crus), Third Growths (Troisièmes Crus), Fourth Growths (Quatrièmes Crus), and Fifth Growths (Cinquièmes Crus). Other notable classifications in Bordeaux include the Saint-Émilion classification and the Graves classification.

See Also

• Bordeaux wine
• Château Lafite Rothschild
• Château Latour
• Château Margaux
• Château Haut-Brion
• Château Mouton Rothschild
• 1855 Bordeaux Classification
• Wine classification
• Saint-Émilion
• Graves