🏷️ Saint-Émilion classification
The official classification of the estates of the AOC Saint-Émilion grand cru in Bordeaux, in place since 1955 and revised every ten years.
The Saint-Émilion classification is the official ranking of the estates of the AOC Saint-Émilion grand cru in Bordeaux, France. It is provided for in the specification of the appellation, has existed since 1955 and can be revised every ten years.
There are two levels: premier grand cru classé, some of which hold the distinction A, and grand cru classé. The 2012 classification had 18 premiers grands crus classés and 64 grands crus classés. The latest one, approved by the national committee of INAO on 8 September 2022, has 14 premiers grands crus classés, two of them with the distinction A (Château Figeac and Château Pavie), and 71 grands crus classés.
Estates are scored on four criteria: the quality and consistency of the wines, judged by tasting samples (50% of the final mark at every level); the reputation of the estate; the characterisation of the estate, notably its land base; and the management of the estate, in the vineyard and in the winery. For the buyer, the words Grand cru classé on a label mean the estate is on this official list.
How it connects to Wine
🏷️ Saint-Émilion classification → → → 🍇 Merlot → kind of → 🍇 Grape varieties → kind of → 🍷 Wine
Links
- Part of
- 🏷️ Grand cru classé
- Where it applies
- 🗺️ French wine
- Related to
- 🍇 Merlot
- Similar and different
- 🏷️ Grand cru classé, 🏷️ Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855, 📜 Saint-Emilion
Frequently asked questions
What is the Saint-Émilion classification?
An official list of the estates of the AOC Saint-Émilion grand cru with two levels: premier grand cru classé and grand cru classé. It has existed since 1955.
How often is it revised, and how many estates does the latest version list?
Every ten years. The classification approved in 2022 has 14 premiers grands crus classés (two with the distinction A) and 71 grands crus classés.
What is taken into account?
Four criteria: the quality and consistency of the wines (tasting, 50% of the mark), reputation, the characterisation of the estate and its management.
What to read next
- 🍇 Merlot — One of the world's most widely grown red grapes, native to Bordeaux; it makes soft wines.
- 📜 Saint-Emilion — A famous Bordeaux town on the Right Bank, with red wines based on Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
- 🗺️ French wine — The country's wine and winemaking: regions, grapes and appellations.
- 🏷️ Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855 — A list of the best Bordeaux châteaux drawn up for the 1855 World's Fair in Paris.
Similar
🏷️ Graves classification · 🏷️ Grand cru classé · 🏷️ Cru Bourgeois · 🏷️ VDQS · 🏷️ Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855 · 🏷️ Cru Artisan
⚠️ Wine contains alcohol: adults only, drink in moderation. Wine usually contains sulphites; egg white or milk proteins are sometimes used for fining — important for allergies and for vegans.
Sources
- INAO — communiqué de presse du 8 septembre 2022 : Saint-Emilion grand cru, le nouveau classement
- Wikidata