Wine Rankings and Classifications: The Systems That Define Prestige and Drive Prices
Wine rankings rest on a handful of classification systems: the 1855 Bordeaux Classification for the Médoc and Sauternes, the Saint-Émilion classification on the right bank, Burgundy's vineyard hierarchy, and critics' scores such as the 100-point scale. Together they decide which bottles command premium prices, which estates attract collector interest and how buyers navigate thousands of producers across dozens of regions. Understanding their origins, their logic and their limits is the foundation of any serious engagement with fine wine.
The 1855 Bordeaux Classification: History, Structure and Legacy
The most famous wine ranking in history was created for Napoleon III's 1855 World Exhibition in Paris. Bordeaux brokers classified the leading Médoc châteaux into five growths based on price history and reputation. The five first growths, Margaux, Lafite, Latour, Mouton Rothschild and Haut-Brion, remain the same today as in 1855, with Mouton Rothschild's 1973 promotion from second to first growth the only official change in 170 years. The classification applies to the Médoc and Sauternes, with Haut-Brion, from the Graves, as its one exception; Château Pétrus in Pomerol is notably absent from any classification despite its extraordinary prices.
Saint-Émilion: A Ranking That Is Revised
Unlike the fixed Médoc ranking, the right bank Saint-Émilion classification is revised periodically and ranks its top estates as Premier Grand Cru Classé A and B. The latest edition shows how much a revision can reshuffle the top: as Vinfolio reports, Château Figeac was the only estate promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classé A, joining Château Pavie, while Ausone, Cheval Blanc and Angélus chose to leave the classification altogether. For a buyer, the lesson is that an estate's absence from the list no longer says anything about its standing, a point that also applies to many of the rare and most expensive prestige wines sought by collectors.
Burgundy's Terroir Hierarchy and the 100-Point Scale
Burgundy's classification system codifies terroir rather than producer reputation: from regional Bourgogne at the base, through village appellations and Premier Crus, to 33 Grand Cru vineyards at the summit. This system, rooted in monastic land assessment going back to the Middle Ages, ranks the land permanently rather than the producer, which is why the producer's name matters so much in Burgundy buying decisions. The 100-point scale, popularised by Robert Parker from the 1980s, transformed global wine buying: a score of 98-100 can quadruple a wine's price almost instantly. Today, James Suckling, Jancis Robinson (using a 20-point scale) and Wine Spectator also exert significant market influence.
The Main Systems Compared
| System | What it ranks | How it changes |
|---|---|---|
| 1855 Bordeaux Classification | Médoc and Sauternes châteaux, in five growths for the reds | Almost never: a single promotion, that of Mouton Rothschild |
| Saint-Émilion classification | Right bank estates: Premier Grand Cru Classé A and B, Grand Cru Classé | Revised periodically; estates may also withdraw |
| Burgundy hierarchy | Vineyards, from regional Bourgogne to 33 Grand Crus | Tied to the land, not to the producer |
| Critics' scores | Individual wines and vintages (100-point or 20-point scales) | Every new release and every tasting |
Alternative Rankings: Top Lists, Auction Results and Investment Indices
Beyond the official classifications, several other ranking systems shape the market. Decanter's annual Wine Awards and World Wine Awards identify value leaders across every category. The Liv-ex Fine Wine 100 index tracks price movements of leading investment wines, giving collectors real-time market data. Annual "best of vintage" features in major wine publications create immediate buying pressure on the wines praised. Wine lovers benefit from understanding all these systems simultaneously, recognising that a highly-scored wine in an under-recognised region may represent far better value than a modestly-scored first growth in a celebrated vintage year. Our guide to choosing, buying and collecting fine wine puts these rankings into practice.