How often is the Saint-Émilion wine classification updated?
Unlike the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855 covering wines from the Médoc and Graves regions, the Saint-Émilion list is updated every 10 years or so. Following the initial classification, the list was updated in 1969, 1986, 1996, 2006, and 2012.
What is the history of St Emilion wine?
The first list of classified wines from St. Emilion was published on June 16, 1955. The original St. Emilion classification was amended on August 7 and October 18, 1958. The debut list contained 12 Premier grands crus classés and 63 Grands crus classés.
What is the Bordeaux Saint-Émilion classification?
In 1955, the wines of Saint-Émilion in the wine -growing region of Bordeaux were classified. Unlike the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855 covering wines from the Médoc and Graves regions, the Saint-Émilion list is updated every 10 years or so.
When was the first list of St-Émilion estates published?
The first list of classified St.-Émilion estates was published on June 16, 1955, and was amended on August 7 and October 18, 1958. The original list contained 12 Premier grands crus classés and 6 3 Grands crus classés .
When was the 2011 classification published?
To arrive at a new classification, the 2011 rules, which were published in the French Official Journal for legal notices on 16 th June 2018, set simple principles designed to make the new classification legitimately binding.
When was wine classification first introduced?
Before that in 1948 , the first wine quality inspection by tasting was introduced, which two years later in 1950 led to a classification of the wines in the appellation area. In 1952, a set of classification rules was drafted in agreement with the French National Institute of Appellations (INAO). And the classification was ratified in 1955.
What is the responsibility of the Commission for the classification of the Grand Cru?
A designated “Commission for the classification of the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation” was set up, made up of seven prominent names in the winegrowing world, but outside Saint-Émilion, with the responsibility of ensuring that the whole classification procedure took place properly.
When was the Grand Cru wine classification made?
In 1955, responding to a request from the Union for the Defence of the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Appellation, the French National Institute of Appellations (INAO) made a classification of the wines of the appellation. It has been revised every ten years since that date and six classifications have therefore been implemented.
How many classifications are there in wine?
It has been revised every ten years since that date and six classifications have therefore been implemented. The sixth and last classification published on 6 th September 2012, resulted from a new procedure under the full authority of INAO and supported by the French ministries of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs. The new procedure was entirely subcontracted to certifying bodies. Tasting the wines is a substantial part of the process.
How old is the 1855 classification?
What makes that even more amazing is that the 1855 Classification at more than 160 years old was put together over just a few short weeks and if you really look at it objectively, for what it covers, it’s still fairly reliable today!
When did the Medoc wine classification take place?
Following the 1855 Classification of the Medoc, it took 100 years until the next major classification occurred, which took place in 1955, when Saint Emilion, became the first and still the only Right Bank appellation to classify their wines.
How many appellations are there in Bordeaux?
Due to the fact of its size, over 120,000 planted hecares of vines, volume, wide range of terroirs and having as many as 60 separate appellations, The Bordeaux Appellations Guide Bordeaux is the most classified wine region in world! The most famous classification of of Bordeaux wine took place in 1855, the year of the original Bordeaux wine ...
How many chateaux were there in 1855?
The 1855 classification only took into consideration 61 different chateaux from the Medoc, with one exception, Chateau Haut Brion from what was then known as Graves before it changed to Pessac Leognan.
Why is Graves wine classification updated?
In theory, the Graves classification could be updated to reflect some of the new, producers that are making wine at a higher level than some of the previously classified estates. But getting those established properties to recognize and agree is going to be close to impossible to accomplish.
Is the 1855 classification still valid?
Still, if you think about it, when you recognize that you’re really only considering the Left Bank with the original 1855 classification, as hard as it is to believe, the majority of the 1855 classification remains valid today!
Is the Crus Bourgeois classification still changing?
Almost as complex as the classification of St Emilion, but not nearly as acrimonious is the Crus Bourgeois Classification which continues to change time and time again. For more than a decade, believe it or not, that classification was updated on a yearly basis!
Overview
In 1955, the wines of Saint-Émilion in the wine-growing region of Bordeaux were classified. Unlike the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855 covering wines from the Médoc and Graves regions, the Saint-Émilion list is updated every 10 years or so. Following the initial classification, the list was updated in 1969, 1986, 1996, 2006, and 2012. However the 2006 classification was declared inv…
Controversy surrounding the 2006 classification
The fifth classification of St.-Émilion wine, announced in September 2006 and comprising 15 Premiers grands crus classés and 46 Grands crus classés, was challenged by four dissatisfied producers that had been demoted - La Tour du Pin Figeac, Cadet Bon, Guadet and Château de la Marzelle - and has resulted in several confusing legal turns during 2007 and 2008 that currently mean that th…
The 2012 classification
The 2012 classification was conducted differently than previous efforts, with tastings and inspections outsourced by INAO to independent groups with no involvement by St.-Emilion Wine Syndicate and Bordeaux wine trade, but instead wine professionals from Burgundy, the Rhône Valley, Champagne, the Loire Valley and Provence made up a seven-person commission. There is no longer a fixed number of châteaus which can be classified, and the new rankings elevated Château …
Other categories
Over two hundred other Saint-Émilion wines carry the description "Grand Cru", however this designation is awarded under the basic appellation rules and is not part of the formal 1955 classification. Wines in this category are not seen as being of comparable quality to the Grand Cru Classés.
See also
• Saint-Émilion AOC
• Regional wine classification
• Bordeaux wine regions
• History of Bordeaux wine