definition of first growth?

[Scoop]

WW is correct: Offically, in Bordeaux's 1855 system, there are 5 "first growths": Chateaux Latour, Haut Brion, Lafite Rothschild, Margaux and Mouton Rothschild (the latecomer!).

As Bucko implies, however, there are some others that are held in similar regard, like Ch. Cheval Blanc and Ausone in St. Emillion (and St. Emillion has its own classification system!), and d'Yquem in Sauternes.

But while people still pay a lot of attention to these classifications, when it comes to legal issues and geographical indications, it is the AOC (Appellation d'origin et controllee) regulations, both at the national and the European Union level, that take precedence.

Cheers,

Scoop

[This message has been edited by Scoop (edited 01-04-2002).]