Why was Château Mouton Rothschild not promoted to First Growth until 1973?

Why Did Château Mouton Rothschild Only Become a First Growth in 1973?

Hey there! As an old wine enthusiast who loves Bordeaux reds, let me break this down for you. Château Mouton Rothschild is legendary in the wine world, but its journey to First Growth status was quite the saga. Let’s unpack it step by step—I’ll keep it in plain language, no fancy jargon.

First, Some Background: The 1855 Bordeaux Classification

Back in 1855, France hosted the Paris World Expo. Napoleon III wanted to show off Bordeaux wines, so he commissioned a classification system.
This ranking focused on châteaux in the Médoc region, sorting them into First to Fifth Growths (Grand Cru Classé) based on price, reputation, and quality at the time.
Only four made First Growth: Lafite, Latour, Margaux, and Haut-Brion. These were the absolute elite, with sky-high prices and fame.
Mouton? It was ranked as the top Second Growth. Its quality rivaled the First Growths, but it just didn’t make the cut.

Why Wasn’t Mouton Initially a First Growth?

Historical Context: During the 1855 classification, Mouton was owned by the British (the Rothschild family had recently acquired it), not the French. This "outsider" status likely fueled some local bias, costing it a top spot.
Politics and Commerce: The ranking wasn’t purely about quality—it also reflected market prices and connections. Though Mouton’s wines were exceptional, their prices weren’t as inflated, and the non-French ownership might have hurt their standing.
Truth is, experts long agreed Mouton deserved First Growth status. But the system was rigid. Bordeaux’s classification is notoriously conservative, barely changing for a century.

How Did It Finally Happen?

In 1920, Baron Philippe de Rothschild took over Mouton. Ambitious and defiant of its Second Growth rank, he launched a relentless campaign.
He changed the estate’s motto from "Second to none, First I am" to "First I am, Second I do not be" (originally "Mouton ne change" evolving to "Premier ne puis, Second ne daigne, Mouton suis"—pretty bold!).
Crucially, he spent decades lobbying the French government, merchants, and media, proving Mouton’s quality and prestige matched the top tier. He commissioned iconic artists like Picasso and Dalí for labels, boosting Mouton’s global fame.
By 1973, French Agriculture Minister Jacques Chirac (later President) pushed the upgrade through. Why then? Facing international competition, France’s wine industry needed a morale boost. Mouton’s persistence, backed by data (e.g., auction prices rivaling First Growths), finally swayed the authorities.
Result: Mouton became the only château ever promoted from Second to First Growth. Today, the First Growths are five: Lafite, Latour, Margaux, Haut-Brion, and Mouton.

A Fun Tidbit

Fans celebrated the upgrade, though some called it political maneuvering. Still, Mouton’s wines are exceptional—especially those artist labels, which are highly collectible. If you ever taste the 1973 vintage, it’s the commemorative upgrade year; the flavor and story are worth every penny.

Bottom line: Wine isn’t just about what’s in the glass—it’s woven with history, politics, and human drama. Want to dive deep into Bordeaux? Start with a glass of Mouton! Cheers—ask away if you have more questions.