In the Bordeaux 1855 Classification, which rank was Château Mouton Rothschild originally assigned?
Hello, regarding the story of Mouton in the 1855 Classification, this is truly a classic "comeback" case in wine history.
Simply put, in the original 1855 Bordeaux Wine Classification, Château Mouton Rothschild was rated as a Second Growth (Deuxième Cru).
You might find it strange that one of today's famous "First Growths" was only a Second Growth back then. There's quite a story behind it:
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"A Great Injustice": The classification at that time was primarily based on the market price of each château's wine. Mouton's wine prices had actually already reached the level of a First Growth, but it is said that due to the château's owner being British at the time, along with other historical reasons, it was "wrongfully" placed as the first of the Second Growths. Baron Philippe de Rothschild, the owner at the time, considered this a "great injustice" and thus began his half-century quest for an upgrade.
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The Famous Motto: During the long years of striving for an upgrade, Baron Philippe set a very proud motto for Mouton:
Premier ne puis, second ne daigne, Mouton suis. Meaning in English: "First I cannot be, second I do not deign to be, Mouton I am!"
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The Only Upgrade: After decades of relentless effort by Baron Philippe, continuously improving wine quality and actively lobbying various circles, the French Ministry of Agriculture finally officially approved the promotion of Château Mouton Rothschild from Second Growth to First Growth (Premier Cru Classé) in 1973.
- This was the only time the ranking of a classified growth (red wine) has been raised since the 1855 classification system was established. It can be said to be unprecedented, and likely never to be repeated.
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A New Chapter: After the successful upgrade, the wine label of Château Mouton Rothschild that year bore a new motto, declaring its victory:
Premier je suis, second je fus, Mouton ne change. Meaning in English: "First I am, second I was, Mouton does not change."
So, the next time you chat about Mouton with friends, you can share this legendary story of going from "disdaining to be second" to "finally becoming first."