Going higher

Some European countries have separate classifications over and above their appellation systems. Bordeaux in France, for example, is a region that produces so many wines that it supports several further classification systems. The Médoc district of Bordeaux produces many of the world’s finest wines, which are labelled by château. The châteaux are ranked in descending order of superiority starting with first growth or “cru”, then second growth and so on through to fifth growth (see chart below). The Graves district of Bordeaux also has its own classification, with one category of Cru Classé (or classed growth) for red wine and one for white wine. Still in Bordeaux, St Emilion classifies its best wines into Premier Grand Cru Classé, Grand Cru Classé and Grand Cru.