The French term means "great growth", usually refers to wine (but also to other foods such as beer, coffee and chocolate) and is closely linked to the philosophy of terroir. This means that, regardless of possible fluctuations in quality between vintages, a certain type of soil and the local microclimate are of consistent and determining quality, whereby the art of the winegrower is also decisive.
The Cru Classés are to be understood in addition to the Appellation d'Origine Protégée valid in France and characterise the top qualities. However, the term has different meanings in the individual wine-growing regions. It can refer to a location, a municipality or a château (vineyard) or to the wine produced there. In Bordeaux, the interests of the Grands Crus wine estates are represented by the UGCB (Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux).
The regulations are described in detail under the relevant keywords:
Beaujolais
There are ten communes with cru status here. In contrast to the four-tier model in the rest of Burgundy, there are only three tiers (no Grands Crus).
Bordeaux
Here, Grand Cru is used for the property of a wine estate (Château) or the Grand Vin produced here (therefore does not apply to a second wine). Site and château are equated with each other, so to speak. The rules in the appellations are very different and confusing. The Bordeaux classification, which took place in 1855, is famous, with mainly wines from the Médoc, and still has a certain significance today.
Burgundy
The system that applies throughout the region is divided into four quality levels, each with further fine gradations. These are regional appellation, communal appellation, Premier Cru and Grand Cru. The quality pyramid with all communes, sites and vineyards is described under Burgundy classification.
Chablis
There are seven particularly privileged sites here, which form the highest Grand Cru class in the Burgundy classification.
Champagne
Here, individual communes are classified as Grand Cru, Premier Cru or a "nameless" third level according to the quality of the grapes; see Échelle des crus for more details. In terms of wine law, however, these are not appellations (AOC/AOP).
Alsace
Here, the 51 sites are classified in the AOC Alsace Grand Cru.
Graves
In 1953 and 1959, red and white wines were classified here with the single level Cru Classé des Graves. The châteaux in question are all located in the Pessac-Léognan appellation, the northern part of Graves.
Languedoc
A three-tier quality system was introduced here in 2011 with the Languedoc AOC, Grands Vins du Languedoc and Crus du Languedoc levels. However, this grouping is purely for marketing reasons; all Languedoc appellations have been assigned to the two higher groups depending on their quality.
Médoc
A five-tier system from Premier Cru to Cinquième Cru was created here as part of the famous Bordeaux classification in 1855, with Château Haut-Brion (Graves) being the only estate outside the Médoc to be included. The 61 estates are labelled Grands Crus Classés.
Pomerol
Surprisingly, there is no classification system in this outstanding appellation, which bears comparison with the best in Bordeaux.
Rhône
There are 16 appellations that can call themselves cru, which means they are considered top appellations (but there is no further gradation, as in Burgundy, for example). In a broader sense, they belong to the Côtes du Rhône appellation, which is why "Cru des Côtes du Rhône" is stated on the label in addition to the appellation.
Saint-Émilion
A classification system for wines and vineyards was introduced here in 1955 and is updated approximately every 10 years. There are three quality levels: Premier Grand Cru Classé A, Premier Grand Cru Classé B and Grand Cru Classé.
Sauternes
There is no class designated as Grand Cru. The three levels established in 1855 are Premier Cru Classé Supérieur ( Château d'Yquem is the only vineyard), Premieur Cru Classé and Deuxième Cru Classé.
Other countries
The term Grand Cru or equivalent terms are also used outside France for vineyards and/or wines:
Germany
Here, according to the VDP classification model, which has been changed/expanded since the 2012 vintage, the sites or wines are classified in descending order of Grosse Lage (wine = Grosses Gewächs), Erste Lage, Ortswein and Gutswein. See also Prussian Site Classification for the history.
Italy
Here, special areas within a DOC/DOCG zone are designated as Vigna, usually with even stricter wine law regulations regarding alcohol content. Vigna plus site name (vineyard name) appears on the label. In Piedmont, the terms Bricco or Sori are used for special vineyard sites. The term Colli (hill) used in many DOC names indicates an exposed hillside location with a steep incline.
Austria
Although there is traditionally a distinct vineyard culture (vineyard sites) here, there is still no generally applicable multi-level classification system for all vineyards or vineyard sites. Individual groups such as the Steirische Terroir- und Klassikweingüter, Traditionsweingüter Österreich and WienWein are endeavouring to achieve this. The DAC designation of origin introduced in 2002 corresponds to the French appellation and has now been finalised for all wine-growing regions.
Switzerland
Here, Grand Cru is the highest classification level for vineyards. The standards for each region depend on the grape variety and terroir. There are Grands Crus in the regions of Vaud with, for example, Calamin and Dézaley; as well as German-speaking Switzerland, Valais and Ticino.
Spain
Here, the term Vino de Pago was introduced in 2003 as the top of the quality pyramid for sites of exceptional quality.
New world
As a rule, the location does not play a significant role here. However, a vineyard culture is emerging in individual US states. The terms Generic, Meritage and Varietal are designations for different blends or wines.
Further information
On the subject of wine quality, see also Origin, Classification and above all Quality System. For a comprehensive list of relevant keywords, including all area designations, see Vineyard area.
For the production of alcoholic beverages, see Champagne (sparkling wines), distillation (distillates), spirits (types), winemaking (wines and wine types) and wine law (wine law issues). All work and tools in the vineyard during the vegetation cycle are listed under vineyard care.
