A wine with the ranking of First Growth was considered the best wine in Bordeaux. The top wine of Bordeaux, a First Growth was awarded an A+, a Second Growth is an A-, a Third Growth is a B+, a Fourth Growth is a B and a Fifth Growth is a C+.

How many second growth wines are there?

There are 14 chateaux in total that are ranked at the Second Growth level. The Second growths (Deuxieme Cru in French) sit on the tier directly below the First growths, in essence ranking them second best.

What does growth mean in wine?

The meaning of First Growth is not taken literally to mean the wine grapes were the first to be grown after the winter or that they were the first to be harvested when ripe. Rather, the term is used to denote ‘first in class’.

What are the super second growths of Bordeaux?

The Unofficial Classification – Bordeaux “Super Seconds”

Chateau Cos d’Estournel, Saint-Estèphe.
Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou, Saint-Julien.
Chateau La Mission Haut Brion, Pessac-Léognan.
Chateau Leoville Las Cases, Saint-Julien.
Chateau Leoville Poyferre, Saint-Julien.
Chateau Montrose, Saint-Estèphe.

What is the best second growth Bordeaux?

What Bordeaux wine producers are considered Super Second Bordeaux wines today? Chateau La Mission Haut Brion Pessac Leognan, belongs at the top of the Super Second Bordeaux producer list. In fact, an argument can be made that La Mission Haut Brion deserves First Growth status.

Bordeaux Wine Basics: 2nd Growth Wines

How many First Growth wines are there?

Bordeaux: The five first growths

There are five châteaux in Bordeaux that truly need no introduction. Known as the first growths, or the premier cru classés, they are Haut-Brion, Lafite Rothschild, Mouton Rothschild, Latour and Margaux.

What does First Growth mean for wine?

When people say “first-growth,” they’re talking about Bordeaux, or at least alluding to it. In the Bordeaux Classification of 1855, wine brokers ranked châteaus based on reputation and price. The classification ranked them within “growths,” or crus, from first down to fifth.

Are First Growth wines better?

A wine with the ranking of First Growth was considered the best wine in Bordeaux. While the rankings were in theory about quality, the selling price factored heavily into which wines were ranked into their respective categories and of course, the most expensive wines were The First Growth Bordeaux Wines.

What is First Growth status?

“First-growth” is the English translation of “premier cru,” and that designation is used in Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne and elsewhere; you’re probably familiar with “grand cru” as well, which is the top vineyard designation in Burgundy.

What is the best First Growth wine?

The Five Bordeaux First Growths (Including Best Wines, Prices)

Chateau Lafite Rothschild. Situated in the Pauillac appellation of Medoc, Château Lafite Rothschild has 276 acres of vines, out of which 172 acres are dedicated to the Château Lafite Rothschild Grand Vin. …
Château Margaux. …
Château Latour. …
Château Haut-Brion.

What are the Second Growths of Bordeaux?

Second Growths (2ème Cru Classé)

Chateau Rauzan-Segla, Margaux.
Chateau Rauzan-Gassies, Margaux.
Chateau Leoville-Las Cases, St-Julien.
Chateau Leoville-Poyferre, St-Julien.
Chateau Leoville-Barton, St-Julien.
Chateau Durfort-Vivens, Margaux.
Chateau Gruaud-Larose, St-Julien.
Chateau Lascombes, Margaux.

What are the best second growth Bordeaux?

The wines from the Second Growth estates like Cos d’Estournel, Ducru-Beaucaillou, La Mission Haut Brion and others are hugely popular among fine wine collectors. With their ability to age and appreciate in value, these Bordeaux wines fit perfectly well in a diversified investment portfolio.

What is a Bordeaux second wine?

Second wine or second label (French: Second vin) is a term commonly associated with Bordeaux wine to refer to a second label wine made from cuvee not selected for use in the Grand vin or first label. In some cases a third wine or even fourth wine is also produced.

What are the super seconds?

Thus, the term Super Seconds was coined for second-growth chateaux, or those that possess the qualities of a second growth, which is nearing the prices and prestige of the five first growths. There are countless definitions of Super Seconds.

What are second wines Bordeaux?

Second wine or second label (French: Second vin) is a term commonly associated with Bordeaux wine to refer to a second label wine made from cuvee not selected for use in the Grand vin or first label. In some cases a third wine or even fourth wine is also produced.

What is 2nd growth wine?

A wine with the ranking of First Growth was considered the best wine in Bordeaux. The top wine of Bordeaux, a First Growth was awarded an A+, a Second Growth is an A-, a Third Growth is a B+, a Fourth Growth is a B and a Fifth Growth is a C+.

What is the meaning of 2nd wine?

Second wine or second label (French: Second vin) is a term commonly associated with Bordeaux wine to refer to a second label wine made from cuvee not selected for use in the Grand vin or first label. In some cases a third wine or even fourth wine is also produced.

Are second wines worth it?

Not all second wines are worth buying. Many are still trading off the reputation of the Grand Vin which means that those second label Bordeaux wines are overpriced for their level of quality in the marketplace. But this is definitely not case with all second wines.

How many First Growth châteaux are there currently in the Medoc classification?

In total, for the official 1855 Classification of the Medoc, they came up with 5 levels of classification which covered 61 different chateaux in all. Following on the heels of the First Growths, the remaining levels of classification are: Second Growth, Third Growth, Fourth Growth and Fifth Growth.

Are First Growth wines worth it?

The Most Valuable First-Growth Bordeaux Labels

These are typically the most delicious and age-worthy first-growth bottles. Many second and third wines are also high in quality and worth collecting, but the grand vin bottles from these estates are still the most sought-after among collectors.

What are the 5 Bordeaux wines?

The six Bordeaux Varietals include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and occasionally Carménère. Bordeaux blends are made up of differing combinations of these grapes, all of which bring unique characteristics to their wines.

Is Grand Cru First Growth?

The Saint-Émilion Classification currently labels 15 wines as First Growths. These Premiers Grands Crus Classés, subdivided into two further classes : A (2 wines) and B (13 wines). A further 64 wines are currently classified as Grands Crus Classés.