Cru

There are over 300 towns and villages (crus) in Champagne that grow vines for the wine that ultimately produces the noble Champagne.

These crus often have different characteristics (e.g. soil composition, location and/or climate).

The highest rating of a cru is 100 (%). This denotes the 'superior class' or a Grand Cru. There are currently 17 towns/villages which are honoured as Grand Crus. They cover only 4000 ha or 11 % of the Champagne vineyard area. The grape variety also plays a role in Grand Crus. Consequently, there can be Pinot Noir Grand Crus and Chardonnay Grand Crus. There are also no Pinot Meunier Grand Crus.

41 weitere Städte/Dörfer dürfen das Merkmal Premier Cru oder 1er Cru (90-99) führen. Insgesamt handelt es sich um ca. 5000 ha bzw. 14%der Rebfläche.

Below that, the remaining crus are between 80 and 89.

The crus are subject to the official échelles des crus rating system. Each year, the CIVC publishes the prices of the grape varieties. For a cru with a 100% rating (Grand Cru), this corresponds to the full price. The price falls according to the percentage of lower-rated crus. However, winegrowers are free to set the prices of their vines on a negotiated basis.

Producers may only label their champagne as Grand Cru or Premier Cru if all the vines, without exception, come from the crus labelled as such. A Grand Cru Champagne can therefore either be made purely from the grapes of one Grand Cru commune or from the grapes of several other 100% communes in Champagne. In Burgundy, on the other hand, Grand Cru or Premier Cru wines tend to be produced from defined individual vineyards and estates, which are of course also subject to strict qualifications. Given the demand for grapes, it is somewhat more difficult for large producers in Champagne to supply a pure Grand Cru or Premier Cru in large quantities. In comparison, the small houses have an easier time - especially when it comes to non-vintage Champagne. However, it is often the skilful 'marriage' (assemblage, cuvée) of the various specialities of different crus that gives a champagne its famous complexity. Most 'prestige cuvée' champagnes tend to use Premier Cru grapes in their blends anyway - some even only use Grand Cru grapes.

Grapes from a Grand Cru and Premier Cru are considered to be the most expensive grapes in Champagne. This can of course also explain the higher price of a corresponding champagne. Champagne grapes (sometimes around 3 euros per kilogramme) are considered to be the most expensive grapes in the world anyway.

 

 

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