🏷️ Burgundy Grand Cru
Burgundy's best vineyards; the label shows only the vineyard name.
Burgundy Grand Cru are the best vineyard plots in the Burgundy region of France. “Grand cru” means “great growth”. It is the top step of the Burgundy classification. The steps, from lowest to highest, are regional names, village names, premier cru and grand cru.
Burgundy classifies not estates but the plots of land themselves, because it holds that soil and slope decide everything. Grand cru plots occupy the best slopes, and there are few of them: they make up a small share of all vineyards. Red grand crus are made from Pinot Noir mostly in the Côte de Nuits, and white ones from Chardonnay, for example in the Côte de Beaune or in Chablis.
The label of a grand cru shows only the name of the plot itself, such as Chambertin or Montrachet. The words “Burgundy” and “grand cru” may be absent. This style helps tell wine from the plot apart from simpler wines.
Grand cru wines are costly because plots are small, yields are limited and the wines are aged for years. The term “grand cru” is used in other parts of France too, but with a different meaning. Alcohol is for adults.
How it connects to Wine
🏷️ Burgundy Grand Cru → → → 🍇 Pinot Noir → kind of → 🍇 Grape varieties → kind of → 🍷 Wine
Links
- Part of
- 🏷️ Grand cru
- Where it applies
- 🗺️ French wine
- Related to
- 🍇 Pinot Noir, 🍇 Chardonnay
- Similar and different
- 🏷️ Grand cru
Frequently asked questions
What is a Burgundy grand cru?
The top level in the classification of Burgundy vineyard plots.
What is written on a grand cru label?
Usually only the name of the plot, such as Chambertin or Montrachet.
Why is grand cru wine expensive?
The plots are small, yields are limited, and the wines are aged and highly valued.
Similar
🏷️ Premier cru · 🏷️ Échelle des crus · 🏷️ Alsace Grand Cru · 🏷️ VDQS · 🏷️ Cru Artisan · 🏷️ Appellation d'origine contrôlée
⚠️ Wine contains alcohol: adults only, drink in moderation. Wine usually contains sulphites; egg white or milk proteins are sometimes used for fining — important for allergies and for vegans.