When you are browning bottles of French Champagne, you may notice the titles “Grand Cru” or “Premier Cru” on labels. These titles are actually quite significant because they represent an economic turn for grape growers in France and the prestigious indication of the villages and vineyards in which the grapes are grown. It can be confusing to understand the difference between the two, but He Wines She Dines is here to help you navigate the world of champagne and find the perfect champagne for you.

Historical Significance

Before the creation of the Cru system, the champagne industry in France was struggling with corruption and unfairness towards farmers. Large champagne houses were buying grapes for very low prices, which was devastating to the villages. In response, the growers finally demanded to make a change by threatening riots in 1920. As a result, the larger houses eventually agreed upon a more fair economic system between themselves and the growers. This cooperation led to the creation of l'Echelle des Crus, meaning the "Ladder of Growth."

This newly implemented system created a ranking system based on various factors such as location, quality of grapes, and soil, to name a few. After careful evaluation, each vineyard was assigned a score out of 100%, which then determined the price of their grapes and placed them in their respective categories. The ‘Grand’ and ‘Premier’ categories were reserved for the most prestigious vineyards, while the ‘Village’ and ‘Regional’ categories were also highly respected but had slightly lower rankings.

Grand Cru

The term ‘Grand Cru’ is a highly esteemed title that was only bestowed upon the absolute highest-quality champagne vineyards in the world. These villages and vineyards were granted the prestigious ranking of 100% on the Echelle ladder, which is an incredible honor to recieve. In fact, this ranking is currently held by an exclusive group of 17 champagne terroirs. 

When the grapes from ‘Grand Cru’ vineyards are processed into champagne, the bottle can only be labeled as such if 100% of the grapes used are from a ‘Grand Cru’ ranked vineyard. If the grapes used are not all from one of these distinguished farms, they will then likely fall under the classification of ‘Premier Cru,’ ‘Village,’ or ‘Regional.’

Premier Cru

The Champagne region in France is known for holding exquisite grapes. And the ‘Premier Cru’ label adds another layer of prestige, with just 44 terroirs across the Champagne region holding this classification. While these grapes do not hold the perfect ranking of 100% like a ‘Grand Cru,’ these grapes are still highly respected with a grade ranging from 90% to 99%, demonstrating that they hold impeccable qualities and respect.

This distinguished classification allows villages to charge a higher price for their grapes, which typically leads to bottles being sold for a greater price as well. Some bottles will even either contain a mix of ‘Premier’ and ‘Grand,’ resulting in a high-quality bottle of champagne that rivals what is historically considered the very best.

What Does It Mean Today?

In 1990, it started to become clear that the implemented system of l’Estelle des Crus was not as effective as it once was. Due to the central price-fixing that was occurring, the European Union deemed it unsuitable for its evolving economic principles. In general, the system was left in the past. However, remnants of its historical value still appear today. 

Today, the ability to place “Grand Cru” or “Premier Cru” on a bottle of champagne still holds significant meaning in the wine industry. These terms signify champagne from a renowned location with high-quality grapes and historical significance. This knowledge alone allows for the honorable ranking of l’Estelle das Crus to remain prominent. 

Understanding the history, difference, and prominence of these terms will allow you to further appreciate the champagne you enjoy and the effort involved in achieving its exceptional quality. 

At Club Jeroboam, we offer a variety of selections that allow you to experience the elegance of a ‘Grand Cru’ or ‘Premier Cru’ Champagne. Additionally, you can also gain knowledge about our highly regarded growers that hold the prestigious ranking of a ‘Grand Cru’ and ‘Premier Cru’ vineyard.