Why were Pomerol and Saint-Émilion not included in the 1855 Classification?

Why weren't Pomerol and Saint-Émilion included in the 1855 Classification?

Ah, I used to wonder about this too! As a Bordeaux wine enthusiast, let me break it down for you in simple terms. The 1855 Classification was a major event in Bordeaux's wine history, but it was quite "biased," focusing only on specific regions. Let's unpack this step by step without drowning in jargon.

First, what was the 1855 Classification?

In 1855, Emperor Napoleon III wanted to showcase French wines at the Paris World's Fair. He asked wine brokers to rank Bordeaux châteaux based on their market prices and reputation at the time. This system primarily included:

Red wine estates from the Médoc, divided into five growths (Premier Cru to Cinquième Cru).
Sweet white wines from Sauternes, which also received a classification.
One estate from Graves was exceptionally added (the famous Château Haut-Brion).

This classification was based on the economic and trade conditions of the era, heavily favoring the Left Bank (west of the Gironde River) because it was close to ports, had strong exports, and was highly renowned. Simply put, it was like a "Left Bank club," and Right Bank regions were largely left out.

Why were Pomerol and Saint-Émilion excluded?

Both are located on Bordeaux's Right Bank (east of the Gironde) and produce exceptional red wines – think Pétrus from Pomerol (which commands astronomical prices) or the famous Cheval Blanc from Saint-Émilion. But why weren't they included in 1855? Here are the main reasons:

Wrong Place, Wrong Time Geographically and Historically: In 1855, the Right Bank wine trade wasn't as developed as the Left Bank's. The Médoc on the Left Bank had already gained global fame through exports to Britain and the Netherlands. Pomerol, however, was still quite "under the radar"; large-scale vine planting there didn't even really start until the mid-19th century, so its reputation was smaller. Saint-Émilion, while historically significant (with monastic winemaking dating back to the Middle Ages), focused more on local consumption and lacked the large-scale export volume of the Left Bank. So, the brokers simply didn't consider the Right Bank when compiling the ratings.
The Criteria Were Market-Driven: The classification wasn't based on intrinsic wine quality, but on the prevailing market prices. Right Bank estates simply weren't fetching prices as high as their Left Bank counterparts back then, so they missed out. Think about it: the judges probably hadn't even tasted much Right Bank wine, or perhaps didn't deem it worthy of inclusion.
Political and Commercial Factors: The classification was orchestrated by the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce, which naturally favored the Left Bank estates they knew best. Right Bank estates were smaller, produced less wine, and couldn't compete with the influence of the Left Bank "heavyweights."

What happened to them later?

Don't worry, these regions didn't give up after being "overlooked" by the 1855 Classification. Instead, they forged their own paths:

Saint-Émilion: Created its own classification system in 1955, revised roughly every 10 years. It ranks estates as Grand Cru Classé, Premier Grand Cru Classé B, and the highest tier, Premier Grand Cru Classé A. Estates like Cheval Blanc and Ausone are top representatives. This system is more flexible and aims to reflect a château's current performance.
Pomerol: This region is unique – it has never adopted an official classification! Why? Because Pomerol producers believe the quality of their wines speaks for itself, needing no labels. The result? Estates like Pétrus command prices and prestige that rival, and often surpass, many 1855 First Growths.

In summary, the 1855 Classification is a historical artifact – significant but imperfect. If you're just starting to explore Bordeaux wines, don't get too hung up on it. Try more Right Bank wines; you'll often find them softer, fruitier, and perfect for everyday drinking. Got more questions? Ask away – I've got plenty of cellar stories to share!