The diversity of wine quality in the Médoc made it necessary to create a specific classification as follows: "crus paysans", "crus artisans", "crus bourgeois ordinaires",
"crus bon bourgeois", "crus bourgeois supérieur" and "grands
crus". They were then classified in five categories only.
At the Universal Exhibition of 1855 in Paris, the "Chambre Syndicale
de Courtiers of Bordeaux" (Professional chamber of wine merchants
in Bordeaux) distinguished 61 high quality wines. It is the consecration
of a long established habit. The selling and purchasing has been
based on this classification.
Read more about the classification of Bordeaux wines with Amazon.com:
- 1855 : A History of the Bordeaux Classification
Next: Bordeaux Grands Crus Classés (Great Growths) - Grands Crus Graves - Grands Crus St Emilion - Crus Bourgeois - Classification in Burgundy
