Bordeaux Chateaux: A History of the Grands Crus Classes 1855-2005

A historical tour of the most prestigious chateaux in the world's most popular wine-making region, Bordeaux Style brings the reader into the intimate interiors and tasting rooms of the chateaux. From gleaming black-and-white floor tiles to the graceful shadows cast by stone arches, from luxurious residences to musky wine cellars, these stunning photographs offer a taste of the rich culture behind these grand wines. In collaboration with Bordeaux's elite Conseil des Grands Crus Classés, this book is published to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the prestigious Grands Crus Classés wine classification system, created by Napoleon III for the 1855 Universal Exhibition in Paris. The original chateaux, selected for their excellence in wine making, included 61 from the Médoc region. The quality of their wines has stood the test of time remarkably well; and while many vineyards have changed hands-some several times over-the classification is still by and large a guarantee of excellent quality.