Need Advice--gifted 78 Ch. Talbot

[Ianaman]

Perhaps intimidation is the wrong word for it. Anyhow, I'm not sure I really understand the classification system and its purpose. If a first growth is not "better" why does it command more money? If that is not an example of certain French wineries fostering a sense of exclusivity to keep prices up, what is?

I agree that generalizing this trend to encompass all of Europe is not really accurate, but I really believe that many of the older vineyards in ancient wine producing regions are involved.

Also, I have heard that many strains of French grape were all but wiped out by disease in the last century and had to be replenished by stocks from California. If this is true, then that suggests to me that these classifications have even less substance than I previously thought.