Who commissioned the creation of this list? And who specifically carried out the selection? (e.g., the winery itself, the king, or wine merchants?)

Who Commissioned and Executed the Bordeaux Wine Classification List?

Hey, I'm guessing you're asking about the 1855 Official Classification of Bordeaux wines? It's a pretty famous event in wine history. Let me break it down for you in a conversational way—think of me as a wine-loving old-timer who's read up on the background. No worries, I'm no expert, just sharing what I know.

First, the Commissioner: Emperor Napoleon III of France

This list originated from the 1855 Paris World Exposition. Back then, Emperor Napoleon III wanted to showcase France's finest products at the expo, especially the red wines from Bordeaux. He felt simply displaying the wines wasn't enough—there needed to be a "ranking" to highlight the best. So, he commissioned the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce to create a classified list of wines. In short: the emperor gave the order, and the chamber carried it out. It wasn't the châteaux self-promoting, nor the king (though Napoleon III was essentially a king), and certainly not random merchants—this was an official mandate.

Now, the Executors: The Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce and Wine Brokers

After receiving the task, the chamber didn't just wing it. They brought in local wine brokers (the intermediaries who specialized in buying, selling, and evaluating wines). These brokers ranked the wines into five tiers (from First to Fifth Growths) based on the châteaux's long-term reputation, historical pricing, and market performance. They didn't pick randomly—they relied on decades of market data and word-of-mouth. The list was finalized and has remained largely unchanged (with only minor adjustments later).

In summary: the emperor initiated it, the chamber organized it, and the brokers did the legwork. It wasn't the châteaux boasting, nor some secret society—it's like a government-run evaluation project today. If you're into Bordeaux wines, this 1855 Classification is essential knowledge; it adds a whole layer of story to your tasting! Feel free to ask if you have more questions.