What was the only official classification change in history? Which château was involved, when did it occur, and what was the driving force behind it?

The Only Official Change in Bordeaux Classification History

Hey, that's an interesting question you've got there. I enjoy a glass of red wine myself, especially those big names from Bordeaux. Let's break it down step by step—I'll start with some background to make it easier to follow.

What is the Bordeaux Classification?

The Bordeaux wine classification system was established in 1855 for the Paris World's Fair. It ranked châteaux in the Médoc region from First to Fifth Growths (Premier Cru being the highest). This classification has been incredibly stable, largely unchanged because it's official and regulated by the French government. Think of it like an antique ranking—wineries aspire to climb higher, but the rules are strict.

What was the only official change?

There’s only been one official revision in history: Château Mouton Rothschild was promoted from a Second Growth to a First Growth. This happened in 1973. Originally, there were only four First Growths (Lafite, Latour, Margaux, and Haut-Brion). With Mouton’s addition, it became five.

What drove this change?

This was largely thanks to the owner of Mouton—Baron Philippe de Rothschild. He was a remarkably persistent man who’d felt wronged since 1945. Why? Because Mouton’s wines were exceptional, often priced like First Growths, yet it was classified as a Second Growth in 1855 (rumored to be due to political reasons back then). The Baron deemed this unfair and spent decades lobbying the French government, writing letters, hosting events, and even printing a slogan on his labels: "Premier ne puis, Second ne daigne. Mouton suis!" ("First I cannot be, Second I do not deign to be. Mouton I am!").

After nearly 30 years of relentless effort, the French Minister of Agriculture finally approved the upgrade in 1973. The driving forces? The Baron’s charisma, the château’s proven excellence (awards, reputation), and shifting times—the government felt it was time to acknowledge reality. This remains the sole exception in Bordeaux’s classification history.

If you’re into wine, Mouton’s bottles are pricey now but worth trying, especially with those artistic labels (designed by a new artist each year). Feel free to ask more—I’d love to share!