Collection: 1er Grand Cru Classé Supérieur & 1er Grand Cru Classé (Sauternes & Barsac)

What does 1er Grand Cru Classé & Supérieur actually mean?

You have certainly noticed the designation 1er Grand Cru Classé Supérieur or 1er Grand Cru Classé on the label of a bottle of dessert wine.

First of all, Premier Grand Cru Classé Supérieur and Premier Grand Cru Classé refer to a quality level. In Bordeaux, there is a classification of wineries in the Médoc. This happened in 1855. You will often find this year on the wine label. This of course has nothing to do with the vintage of the sweet wine.

In 1855, a classification was carried out specifically for the Sauternes and Barsac wine-growing region, which was based on the classification of wine from the Médoc. The classification was based on the quality and price of the wines from the wineries. This applies to selected wineries that belong exclusively to the Sauternes or Barsac appellation. Three groups were created in a hierarchical manner.

There are three quality levels:

• 1er Grand Cru Classé Supérieur
• 1er Grand Cru Classé
• 2ème Grand Cru Classé

Château d'Yquem is the only winery that belongs to the highest quality level in Sauternes - the Premier Grand Cru Classé Supérieur.

These wineries belong to the second highest level - Premier Grand Cru Classé:

• Château Climens
• Château Clos Haut-Peyraguey
• Château Coutet
• Château de Rayne-Vigneau
• Château Guiraud
• Château la Tour Blanche
• Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey
• Château Rabaud-Promis
• Château Rieussec
• Château Sigalas-Rabaud
• Château Suduiraut
  

Be careful, there is a risk of confusion: The 1er Grand Cru Classé from Sauternes and Barsac

For wine collectors, such exclusive dessert wines from the 1er Grand Cru Classé Supérieur and 1er Grand Cru Classé are ideal for collecting. The quality and storage capacity of these sweet wines are what sets them apart. These wines can therefore remain in the wine cellar for a longer period of time.

So collect 1er Grand Cru wine from Sauternes & Barsac now!