Based on the »Instruction du 24 nov. 1802 «the French Ministry of Finance began a new classification of the vineyards during Napoleon's time. For the first time in history - see quote - this rating is based on the fact "that the area with the largest harvest is not automatically the best" and in high-quality vineyards, "be it due to the soil conditions or the nature of the plants themselves, often only expressed little is harvested ”.