first growth

The English translation of the French "premier cru." The precise meaning of the term first growth refers to the original four red-wine châteaux ranked in the Classification of 1855 (see Official Wine Classifications of Bordeaux, page 636)-Lafite-Rothschild, Latour, Margaux, and Haut-Brion-plus Château Mouton-Rothschild, which was added in 1973. Sometimes the meaning of first growth is expanded slightly to include Châteaux Ausone and Cheval Blanc (ranked in a separate classification for saint-émilion in 1954) and Château Pétrus from pomerol (which has never been classified but has the status, wine quality, and premium pricing to rank it with the others). Although Château d'yquem of sauternes is also a premier cru, it produces white wines, and the narrower use of first growth typically applies only to red wines. Even though burgundy and champagne also have a premier cru class, the first growth designation doesn't usually refer to these areas.