Cru

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

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

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

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

Below that, the remaining crus range from 80 to 89.

The crus are subject to the official échelles des crus rating system. Each year, the CIVC association presents the prices of the vines. For the vineyard of a Cru with a 100% rating (Grand Cru), this corresponds to the full price. The price drops according to the percentages of lower rated crus. However, vintners are free to price their vines on a negotiated basis.

Producers are only allowed to call their champagne Grand Cru or Premier Cru if all vines without exception come from the crus rated as such. Thus, a Grand Cru champagne can either be produced purely from the vines of a Grand Cru commune or also be produced from the vines of several other communes in the Champagne region. In Burgundy, on the other hand, Grand or Premier Cru wines are more about defined single vineyards and estates, which, of course, are also subject to strict qualifications. For large producers in the Champagne region, it is somewhat more difficult to supply a pure Grand Cru or Premier Cru in large quantities, given the demand for grapes. In comparison, the small houses have it easier - in particular when it comes to champagne without vintage. However, it is often just the skilful 'marriage' (assemblage, cuvée) of the different characteristics of different crus to which a champagne owes its famous complexity. Most 'Prestige Cuvée' champagnes use rather Premier Cru grapes in their blends anyway - some even only Grand Cru grapes.

Grapes from a Grand Cru and Premier Cru are considered the most expensive grapes in Champagne. This, of course, can also explain a higher price of a corresponding champagne. The grapes of the Champagne (sometimes settled at about 3 euro per kilogram) are anyway considered to be the most expensive grapes in the world.