What Is a Grand Cru?
Date: 25 April 2025 by Vinescapade Team
"Grand Cru" is a French term meaning "great growth." In the context of wine, it signifies a vineyard or estate recognized for producing wines of exceptional quality. The classification systems vary by region, with the most notable being in Bordeaux and Burgundy.
🍷 Bordeaux: The 1855 Classification
In 1855, for the Exposition Universelle de Paris, Bordeaux wines were classified based on reputation and market price. This classification, known as "Grand Cru Classé," ranks wines into five tiers:
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Premier Cru (First Growth)
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Deuxième Cru (Second Growth)
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Troisième Cru (Third Growth)
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Quatrième Cru (Fourth Growth)
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Cinquième Cru (Fifth Growth)
Originally, 61 châteaux were included, with only five achieving Premier Cru status: Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Margaux, Château Latour, Château Haut-Brion, and Château Mouton Rothschild (promoted in 1973).
🍇 Burgundy: Vineyard-Based Classification
Unlike Bordeaux, Burgundy's classification focuses on specific vineyards rather than estates. The hierarchy is
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Grand Cru: Top-tier vineyards producing the finest wines.
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Premier Cru: High-quality vineyards, just below Grand Cru.
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Village Appellations: Wines from specific villages.
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Regional Appellations: Broadest classification, covering larger areas.
Grand Cru vineyards represent about 2% of Burgundy's production and are known for their aging potential and complexity.
Source:
https://www.wineenthusiast.com/basics/what-is-a-cru/
https://cru-wine.com/the-concept-of-grand-cru-classe-in-the-world-of-wine/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cru_%28wine%29
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bordeaux_Wine_Official_Classification_of_1855
