Bordeaux has been producing wine for the last 2000 years. The first vineyards were planted in the 1st century AD, during the Roman conquest of what was then Gaul – to provide wine for the soldiers. During the Middle Ages a royal marriage between Henry II and Aliénor d’Aquitaine made the province of Aquitaine English territory, which meant that the majority of the wine produced by the region began to be exported. From that time, the number of vineyards expanded to feed the demands from abroad.

In the 17th century, Dutch traders began to encourage vineyard planting in the region, which had fallen away due to the lack of export during The Hundred Years’ war. The Dutch ushered in much-needed prosperity into the region, and the spread of vineyards was so rapid by the time of the 18th century that the region was divided by name into specific areas so people could tell exactly where the wine was coming from.

The modern era and 20th century saw the region suffering from various wars and economic crises. In fact, only three of the chateaux remain with their original 19th century owners: Léoville-Barton, Langoa-Barton and Mouton-Rothschild. The history of Bordeaux is a history or commerciality, trade and above all a product that has defeated war and politics to make itself available to the rest of the world.

In the 19th century, the wine brokers of Bordeaux compiled a taxonomic system based on the prices of the wines each Château was commanding. The reason was so that the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce could present the region’s best wines at the Paris Exposition of 1855. Thus the 1855 Classification came into being, and with it the highest ranking of premier cru or first growth, the highest subcategory of cru classé (classed growth). In that year four châteaux were acclaimed premier cru: Lafite-Rothschild, Latour, Margaux and Haut-Brion. It was considered a mark of the highest prestige.

Today there are still only five Bordeaux reds that are allowed to carry “Premier Grand Cru Classé” on their labels (Mouton Rothschild was added in the 20th century). Alongside these only Petrus can be mentioned as being of comparable worth. Imperial Wines of London work with the five first growths as well as Petrus – these are proven performers and the most sought-after wines in the world.