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Mccandless111 · 12-23-2006, 03:04 PM,

Hello all.
My question relates to some wines i have bought from the Medoc region. Of the ones i have they all come from various growths, some 2eme to 5eme.
What is the difference between the different growths? I understand the classing method but the growths throw me.
I presume u get i harvest per year so how would u get a 5th growth? or is it to do with the pressing?
Anyway any help would be appriciated. Many thx in advance.

Innkeeper · 12-23-2006, 06:26 PM,

Hi Mccandless and welcome to the Wine Board. The simplest way to explain it is to think of the word "tier" replacing "growth." Those wineries in the First Growth according to the 1855 classification are the first or highest tier. So on and so on for two, three, four, five. This sort of explains why there are many more fifth growths than first growths.

winoweenie · 12-23-2006, 08:15 PM,

Breaking it down the French in their inimatible knowledge in 1855 decided that they should set up a classification predicated on the pricing of the top Chateaus. The most expensive were 1st growths, the next tier 2nd and so on down to 5ths. This is the simplified version but mite give you some parameters on the quality. The designation was uncannily accurate as in the 150+ years since there's been only one addition to the 1st( Mouton). WW

Mccandless111 · 12-24-2006, 10:06 AM,

SO its not to do with the acctual growth of the grapes just a grading of the chateau that the wine comes from?

Innkeeper · 12-24-2006, 10:39 AM,

Correct.

Mccandless111 · 12-24-2006, 01:48 PM,

Ahhh ace. Thx for ur help guys [img]http://wines.com/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

wondersofwine · 12-28-2006, 03:14 PM,

That's the explanation of the first through fifth growth classification. You can also hear references to a second label or second growth from a particular chateau meaning these grapes were not deemed to be of the best quality for the chateau wine but were acceptable for a secondary label produced at that chateau. Examples are Les Forts-de-Latour from Chateau Latour and Pavillon Rouge de Chateau Margaux from Chateau Margaux. The secondary labels can be great wine bargains, especially in top vintages for that region.

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