THE FRENCH CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
The French have the most comprehensive wine quality control system. The main factors are the origin of the wine, its historical production method and the use of the right grapes. There are three levels of quality control: AC, VDQS and Vin de Pays.
Appellation d'Origine Controlee (AC, AOC) This name applies to the main wine regions in France and is slowly expanding. The seven most important requirements are: The Country: The suitable vineyard locations are well defined. The grape: Only grape varieties that are traditionally considered suitable may be used. Alcohol: The wines must contain a minimum or maximum level of natural alcohol. Yield: A permitted yield is fixed for each AC, but the number may be reduced or increased annually in consultation between the growers and the National Institute of the Appellations d'Origine (INAO). Cultivation methods: For AC wines, certain rules on cutting methods and planting density must be adhered to. Vinification: Each AC wine has its own rules. Normally, chaptalization (dry sugaring, which adds sugar during fermentation to increase its alcohol content) is permitted in the north, but not in the south. Organoleptic Testing and Analysis: Since 1974, wine testing has been carried out by a commission required. Labeling on labels: The official testing committees intend to limit the use of the variety name on the label of AC wines, except in cases where it has long been mentioned. They argue that the uniqueness of French wines is due to their production areas and not to the grape varieties. Meanwhile, it is likely that the Vins de pays - carry the variety names on their labels - increase their market share.
Vin Delimite de Qualite Superieure (VDQS, higher quality wine from limited production areas) This second quality label is generally less reliable in terms of quality and is being used less and less. Land wines are no longer promoted to VDQS wines and VDQS wines occasionally to AC wines.
Vin de Pays (Landwein) The third category gives a regional definition for simple blend wines. The rules are similar to the AC rating, but allow more freedom in terms of yields and grape varieties. The land wines can achieve surprisingly good qualities.
Vin de Table The rest is called table wine. There is no quality control, except in the context of official hygiene regulations. Vins de Pays are about the same price, but usually much better.
Wine classification in Bordeaux:
The great quality selection of the Médoc wines first required a classification of the "Crus": Crus paysans (peasant), Crus artisans (artisan), crus bourgeois ordinaires (citizen), crus bons bourgeois (good bourgeois, crus bourgeois supérieur (higher burgers), and grands crus (large) These were then divided into 5 categories.
During the Universal Exposition in Paris in 1855, the union of Bordeaux mediators has 61 wines "of higher scale". excellent. It was the confirmation of long-recognized customs. Since then, this classification serves as a reference for the prices when buying these wines:
Grands Crus Classés Bordeaux
Premier grands crus classés
Château Lafite-Rothschild |
Pauillac |
Château Latour |
Pauillac |
Château Margaux |
Margaux |
Château Mouton-Rothschild |
Pauillac |
Château Haut-Brion |
Pessac |
Deuxième grands crus classés
Château Brane-Cantenac |
Cantenac-Margaux |
Château Cos-d'Estournel |
Saint-Estèphe |
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou |
Saint-Julien |
Château Durfort-Viviens |
Margaux |
Château Gruaud-Larose |
Saint-Julien |
Château Lascombes |
Margaux |
Château Léoville-Barton |
Saint-Julien |
Château Léoville-Las-Cases |
Saint-Julien |
Château Léoville-Poyferré |
Saint-Julien |
Château Montrose |
Saint-Estèphe |
Château Pichon-Lalande |
Pauillac |
Château Pichon-Longueville Baron |
Pauillac |
Château Rausan-Ségla |
Margaux |
Château Rauzan-Gassies |
Margaux |
Troisième grands crus classés
Château Boyd-Cantenac |
Cantenac-Margaux |
Château Calon-Ségur |
Saint-Estèphe |
Château Cantenac-Brown |
Cantenac-Margaux |
Château Desmirail |
Margaux |
Château Ferrière |
Margaux |
Château Giscours |
Labarde-Margaux |
Château d'Issan |
Cantenac-Margaux |
Château Kirwan |
Cantenac-Margaux |
Château Lagrange |
Saint-Julien |
Château La Lagune |
Ludon |
Château Langoa-Barton |
Saint-Julien |
Château Malescot-Saint-Exupéry |
Margaux |
Château Marquis d'Alesme-Becker |
Margaux |
Château Palmer |
Cantenac-Margaux |
Quatrième grands crus classés
Château Beychevelle |
Saint-Julien |
Château Branaire-Ducru |
Saint-Julien |
Château Duhart-Milon-Rothschild |
Pauillac |
Château La Tour-Carnet |
Saint-Laurent |
Château Lafon-Rochet |
Saint-Estèphe |
Château Marquis-de-Terme |
Margaux |
Château Pouget |
Cantenac-Margaux |
Château Prieuré-Lichine |
Cantenac-Margaux |
Château Saint-Pierre |
Saint-Julien |
Château Talbot |
Saint-Julien |
Cinquième grands crus classés
Château Batailley |
Pauillac |
Château Belgrave |
Saint-Laurent |
Château Camensac |
Saint-Laurent |
Château Cantermerle |
Macau |
Château Clerc-Milon |
Pauillac |
Château Cos-Labory |
Saint-Estèphe |
Château Croizet-Bages |
Pauillac |
Château Dauzac |
Labarde-Margaux |
Château Grand-Puy-Ducasse |
Pauillac |
Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste |
Pauillac |
Château Haut-Bages-Libéral |
Pauillac |
Château Haut-Batailley |
Pauillac |
Château Lynch-Bages |
Pauillac |
Château Lynch-Moussas |
Pauillac |
Château Monton d'Armailhac |
Pauillac |
Château Pédesclaux |
Pauillac |
Château Pontet-Canet |
Pauillac |
Château du Tertre |
Arsac-Margaux |
Crus bourgeois
The better wines, which were not included in the 1855 classification, are under the designation & quot; Cru bourgeois & quot; to find. There are about 400. These wines are not traded as high as the wines in the classification and are regularly of about the same level. There are still opportunities for favorable opportunities!
Grands Crus Saint Emilion
Premier grands crus classés A
- Chateau Ausone
- Chateau Cheval Blanc
Premier grands crus classés B
- Chateau Angelus
- Chateau Beauséjour-Bécot
- Chateau Beauséjour-Duffau-Lagarrosse
- Chateau Belair
- Chateau Canon
- Clos Fourtet
- Chateau Figeac
- Chateau La Gaffelière
- Chateau Magdelaine
- Chateau Pavie
- Chateau Trottevieille
- Chateau Beauséjour-Bécot
Grands Crus Classés
- Château Balestard la Tonnelle
- Château Bellevue
- Château Bergat
- Château Berliquet
- Château Cadet-Bon
- Château Cadet-Piolat
- Château Canon-la-Gaffelière
- Château Cap de Mourlin
- Château Chauvin
- Clos des Jacobins
- Clos de l'Oratoire
- Clos Saint-Martin
- Château Corbin
- Château Corbin-Michotte
- Château Couvent de Jacobins
- Château Curé Bon La Madeleine
- Château Dassault
- Château Faurie de Souchard
- Château Fonplégade
- Château Fonroque
- Château Franc-Mayne
- Château Grand Mayne
- Château Grand Pontet
- Château Grandes Murailles
- Château Guadet Saint-Julien
- Château Haut Corbin
- Château Haut Sarpe
- Château La Clotte
- Château La Clusière
- Château La Couspaude
- Château La Dominique
- Château La Marzelle
- Château Laniote
- Château Larcis-Ducasse
- Château Larmande
- Château Laroque
- Château Laroze
- Château l'Arrosée
- Château La Serre
- Château La Tour du Pin-Figeac (Giraud-Belivier)
- Château La Tour du Pin-Figeac (Moueix)
- Château La Tour Figeac
- Château Le Prieuré
- Château Matras
- Château Moulin du Cadet
- Château Pavie-Decesse
- Château Pavie-Macquin
- Château Petit-Faurie-de-Soutard
- Château Ripeau
- Château Saint-Georges Côte Pavie
- Château Soutard
- Château Tertre Daugay
- Château Troplong-Mondot
- Château Villemaurine
- Château Yon-Figeac
Grands Crus Graves
Crus Classés (Red wine and white wine)
- Chateau Bouscaut
- Chateau Carbonnieux
- Domaine de Chevalier
- Chateau La Tour-Martillac
- Chateau Malartic-Lagravière
- Chateau Olivier
Crus Classés (Red Wine)
- Chateau de Fieuzal
- Chateau Haut-Bailly
- Chateau Haut-Brion
- Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion
- Chateau Latour Haut-Brion
- Chateau Pape Clément
- Chateau Smith Haut-Lafitte
Crus Classés (White Wine)
- Chateau Couhins
- Chateau Couhins-Lurton
- Chateau Laville Haut-Brion
Wine classification in Burgundy:
In 1415, a letter proclaimed Charles the Sixth "that the wines produced over Pont-de-Sens are called" Burgenderwein ". "This shared the wine designation into two categories: Upper Burgundy and Lower Burgundy. The law of August 1, 1905, strengthened by the law of May 6, 1919, regulated the denominations of origin. The areas, made up of small parcels called & quot; climats & quot; names form the terms. These are the names Beaune, Chablis, Nuits, Meursault, Pouilly-Fuissé, etc. In Burgundy the vines are strictly controlled everywhere.
Die "premier (first) Crus" :
Nearly 600 vineyards are allowed the term "premier (first) Cru" use. They have been officially chosen for their many years of quality. Your label bears the name of the village, followed by that of the vineyard, in the same style.
Die "grands (Big) Crus":
Only 32 vineyards have the privilege of naming "grand (Biger) cru" to wear. It used to be called "têtes de cuvée" (heart of the fermentation tank) ". They are the best of the best: Chambertin, Clos-Vougeot, Corton, Corton-Charlemagne, Montrachet, Musigny, La Tche, etc ...
The "grand cru" Burgundy wines carry only the name of the vineyard.
