The Grand Cru label is the most prestigious appellation in the AOC Champagne classification scale. Only the champagnes from vineyards of the communes classified Grand Cru and elaborated with the both allowed grape varieties bear the mention CHAMPAGNE GRAND CRU.

What is Champagne Grand Cru?

At the beginning of the last century, 17 communes (*) of the Champagne vineyards were selected to benefit from the Grand Cru appellation .

This award was given to them because of their soil characteristics and their exposure, which are particularly conducive to production of the best grapes . This, of course, has an impact on the selling price of these grapes, which is higher when they come from "Grand Cru" communes and also, to a lesser extent, "Premier Cru".

The specificity of the Grand Cru champagnes comes from the quality of their grapes.

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This feature is also complemented by a restrictive list of the authorized grape varieties for this appellation.

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What are the varieties of Champagne Grand Cru?

If 7 varieties (**) are allowed in the production of champagne (mainly Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier), only 2 of them can be included in the Grand Cru champagnes :

• Pinot Noir, Red grape with red fruit aromas and delicate tannins, with which are also prepared the best Burgundy (Romanée-Conti, ...)
• Chardonnay , a white grape with a delicate floral nose, with which the Chablis are elaborated.

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The appellation Grand Cru guarantees the quality of the grapes and the selection of grape varieties used in the champagne.

champagne box vintage champagne grand cru

Enjoy the Difference

To learn more and to discover different Champagnes Grand Cru, we have created the Tasting course,

And to share the experience of Champagne Grand Cru, we have designed tasting boxes dedicated to champagnelovers, Grand Cru version !

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champagne box champagne gift

Alcohol abuse is dangerous to your health. Consume in moderation.

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(*) 17 communes of Champagne Grand Cru :

• dans la Montagne de Reims : Ambonnay, Beaumont-sur-Vesle, Bouzy, Louvois, Mailly, Puisieulx, Sillery, Tours-sur-Marne, Verzenay, Verzy,
• Dans la vallée de la Marne : Aÿ, 
• dans la Côte des Blancs : Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oiry, Oger.

The communes Premier Cru représentent 15% of the champagne communes. Throught these, Hautvilliers is special about the abbaye of Dom Pérignon, qwho had made a lot for the elaboration of the champagne.

(**) 7 grape varieties : Chardonnay B, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Arbanne, Petit Meslier, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc.