Premier Cru
Premier Cru is a French wine classification used to denote vineyards, or groups of vineyards, considered to produce wines of high but not the very highest quality. The term is most closely associated with Burgundy and Champagne, though its meaning and application differ between the two regions[1].
Premier Cru in Burgundy
In Burgundy, Premier Cru (literally "first growth") designates sites ranked just below Grand Cru in the vineyard hierarchy. There are more than 600 individual Premier Cru climats, spread across the major Côte d'Or appellations and some areas of Chablis[2]. Wines may be labelled with both the village appellation and the specific Premier Cru vineyard, for example "Chablis Premier Cru Montmains," or more generally as "Chablis Premier Cru" without the vineyard name.
Premier Cru vineyards reflect a fine but not ultimate expression of terroir. They are typically situated on mid-slope sites with favourable exposure, soils, and drainage, though not always in the most privileged locations accorded to Grand Cru[3].
Historical development
The ranking of Burgundy's vineyards has deep historical roots. Monastic orders such as the Cistercians and Benedictines first documented the varying qualities of sites during the Middle Ages, creating a tradition of parcel-based evaluation. In modern times, classification was formalised under the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) system of the 1930s, with Premier Cru established as a key tier[4].
Burgundy’s system is often contrasted with that of Bordeaux, where estates rather than vineyard plots were ranked in the 1855 Classification. The differing approaches underscore the emphasis in Burgundy on terroir-driven hierarchies.
Viticultural and stylistic significance
Premier Cru wines are widely regarded as offering greater complexity, concentration, and ageing potential than standard village wines, though typically falling short of the intensity and longevity of Grand Cru bottlings[5]. They are almost exclusively made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, depending on the appellation.
Producers often release both vineyard-specific cuvées and blended Premier Cru wines. Stylistic variation is therefore substantial, reflecting the diversity of Burgundy’s terroirs. Some climats achieve reputations close to Grand Cru status, commanding high prices and international recognition.
Premier Cru in Champagne
In Champagne, the term Premier Cru applies not to individual vineyards but to entire villages, under the historical Échelle des Crus system. Villages were ranked according to the quality of their grapes, with the top-rated designated Grand Cru and the next tier Premier Cru[6].
Unlike in Burgundy, Champagne’s Premier Cru status is applied across all vineyards of the qualifying village, regardless of individual plot. Today, 42 villages hold Premier Cru classification, including noted sources of Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay[7].
See also
References
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, 2015.
- ↑ Johnson & Robinson, The World Atlas of Wine, 2019.
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, 2015.
- ↑ Pitte, Bordeaux/Bourgogne: Les passions rivales, 2005 (French).
- ↑ Johnson & Robinson, The World Atlas of Wine, 2019.
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, 2015.
- ↑ BIVB, “Premiers Crus”.