When you first try to select red wine, you might find yourself puzzled by the term "Grand Cru Classe." Don't worry; you're certainly not the only one with this question. In this article, Supreme Only will explain what Grand Cru Classe means and whether having "Grand Cru" on the label guarantees a great wine.
What is Grand Cru Classe?
Grand Cru Classe (French for "Grand Cru Classé") is a renowned classification system used in the wine-producing region of Bordeaux, France. This system was initially established in 1855 when Emperor Napoleon III sought to promote French red wine globally, particularly for the Paris World's Fair. To accomplish this, he tasked the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce with organizing a wine exhibition, and they, in turn, commissioned the "Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Bordeaux" (Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce) to create the classification based on the proven track record of each estate and its vineyard terroir quality and reputation.
Within the Grand Cru Classe system, Bordeaux red wines are divided into five levels, ranging from First Growth (Premier Cru) to Fifth Growth (Cinquième Cru).
Is "Grand Cru" on the label a guarantee of quality?
The answer is not necessarily. Firstly, it's important to understand that Grand Cru Classe applies only to Bordeaux wines, and other French wine regions and countries have their own classification and rating systems.
For example, in the Burgundy region of France, there is an AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) classification system with Grand Cru as its highest level, indicating wines from exceptional vineyards.In Burgundy, if you see "Grand Cru" on the label, it signifies that the wine comes from a prestigious and exceptional vineyard!
However, in Bordeaux, it's a different story. Bordeaux is divided into the Left Bank
and Right Bank regions, with the area between the two rivers known as Entre-Deux-Mers. These regions have different terroirs due to their geographical locations, which results in variations in wine quality ratings.
For instance, in St. Emilion on the Right Bank, they reclassify vineyards every ten years. The classification levels from highest to lowest are:
▪ Premiers Grands Cru Classés A (First Great Classified Growths A)
▪ Premiers Grands Cru Classés B (First Great Classified Growths B)
▪ Grands Cru Classés (Great Classified Growths)
On the other hand, the most famous Medoc region on the Left Bank, home to the Bordeaux Big 5, has seen little change in its classification system since 1855. This means that many outstanding Bordeaux estates may go unnoticed because they are not included in the "Grand Cru Classe."
Therefore, when selecting French red wine, Grand Cru Classe is just one important factor to consider, indicating that the wine comes from highly-rated vineyards. In addition to this, you should pay attention to factors such as grape variety, region, vintage, and winemaking techniques, which directly influence the flavor and quality of the wine.
Remember, wine tasting is a subjective experience, and the best red wine is the one that suits your personal taste, rather than simply relying on classifications!
