cru

French · growth

A cru is a village (commune) of production; Champagne counts 319 crus.1

Ratings and labels

Some crus carry a mention on the label. Grand cru is defined in the AOC specification for 17 listed communes, and premier cru for 42 further ones.2,3 The old échelle des crus rated grand cru villages at 100% and premier cru at 90-99%.4

On a Champagne label, only a commune or a cadastral lieu-dit may be named.2 Blending wines from different crus is part of assemblage.5 See Champagne.

On a Champagne label only a commune or a cadastral lieu-dit may be named; a commune outside the listed ones needs the wording "vigne de".2

See also

ChampagneRegionsgrand cruGlossarypremier cruGlossaryéchelle des crusGlossarylieu-ditGlossary

Sources

  1. Union des Maisons de Champagne (UMC). Geographical area
  2. Cahier des charges de l'AOC Champagne (homologated by arrêté of 30 Nov 2022; draft modification after INAO committee of 7 Sept 2023) (2023-09-07)
  3. DGCCRF (Ministère de l'Économie). Champagne : connaître le langage des étiquettes (2025-12-16)
  4. Union des Maisons de Champagne (UMC). Labeling
  5. Comité Champagne (champagne.education). Fiche Élaboration du Champagne (FR) (2024-05)

Facts checked on 2026-10-19