The differences between Champagne Grand Cru and Champagne Premier Cru

The main difference between Champagne Grand Cru and Champagne Premier Cru lies in the classification of the villages of origin of the grapes . The villages of the Champagne region are classified according to the quality of the grapes they produce.

Only 17 villages hold the prestigious Grand Cru designation, while 44 villages are classified as Premier Cru. This classification is based on various factors, including terroir, climate, and the historical quality of the grapes produced.

Terroir and Quality of the Grapes

Grand Cru villages are recognized for having the best terroir conditions, which include calcareous soils excellent for viticulture and an ideal microclimate for ripening grapes.

Grapes from Grand Cru villages are considered to be of superior quality, which is often reflected in the complexity and depth of the wines produced.

Premier Cru villages, while offering excellent conditions, do not reach the level of excellence of Grand Crus, but still produce very high quality grapes.

Organoleptic characteristics

Grand Cru Champagnes are often characterized by greater complexity and aromatic depth than Premier Crus. They have a rich and varied bouquet, with notes of ripe fruit, spices, and a marked minerality. On the palate, they show a robust structure, a lively acidity balanced by a creamy texture, and a long persistence.

Premier Cru Champagnes , while high quality, tend to be slightly less complex than Grand Crus. They offer fresh and floral aromas, with notes of white fruit and citrus. On the palate, they stand out for the balance between freshness and creaminess, with a pleasant but often less marked persistence than Grand Crus.

Price and Prestige

Grand Cru Champagnes, due to their rarity and the superior quality of the grapes, tend to be more expensive and prestigious than Premier Crus. They are often considered the flagship of Champagne houses and are chosen for special occasions and celebrations.

Premier Cru Champagnes offer a high quality alternative, characterized by freshness and balance, making them an excellent choice for a wide range of occasions.

Champagne AOC Grand Cru Brut Cuvée 1 Tradition Jacques Rousseaux Laurier

Champagne AOC Grand Cru Brut Cuvée 1 Tradition Jacques Rousseaux Laurier

0,75 ℓ
93
Discount 30%
34.90 €
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  46.53 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 49.90 € 
Lowest price: 49.90 € 
Champagne Brut Grand Cru AOC Femme de Champagne Duval-Leroy

Champagne Brut Grand Cru AOC Femme de Champagne Duval-Leroy

0,75 ℓ, Gift box
93
139 €
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  185.33 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Free shipping
Champagne Brut Grand Cru AOC Prélude Taittinger

Champagne Brut Grand Cru AOC Prélude Taittinger

0,75 ℓ, Gift box
93
92
77.90 €
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  103.87 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Free shipping
Champagne AOC Grand Cru Extra Brut Le Bout du Clos Jacques Selosse

Champagne AOC Grand Cru Extra Brut Le Bout du Clos Jacques Selosse

0,75 ℓ
96
790 €
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  1,053.33 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Only 4 left
Champagne AOC Grand Cru Brut Réserve Mailly

Champagne AOC Grand Cru Brut Réserve Mailly

0,75 ℓ
91
Sale
47.80 €
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  63.73 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 50 € 
Lowest price: 45.90 € 
Champagne AOC Brut Grand Cru Femme de Champagne Duval-Leroy

Champagne AOC Brut Grand Cru Femme de Champagne Duval-Leroy

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
Discount 14%
119 €
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  158.67 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 139 € 
Lowest price: 139 € 
Free shipping
Champagne Grand Cru AOC Extra Brut La Cote Faron Jacques Selosse

Champagne Grand Cru AOC Extra Brut La Cote Faron Jacques Selosse

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
850 €
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  1,133.33 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Only 2 left
Champagne AOC Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Les Carelles Jacques Selosse

Champagne AOC Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Les Carelles Jacques Selosse

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
833 €
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  1,110.67 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Only 1 left
Champagne AOC Grand Cru Rosé Extra Brut Egly-Ouriet

Champagne AOC Grand Cru Rosé Extra Brut Egly-Ouriet

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
182 €
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  242.67 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Free shipping
Champagne AOC Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Egly-Ouriet

Champagne AOC Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Egly-Ouriet

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
353 €
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  470.67 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Only 6 left
Champagne AOC Brut Grand Cru Réserve Mailly

Champagne AOC Brut Grand Cru Réserve Mailly

Jeroboam 3 ℓ
91
308 €
per bottle  (3 ℓ)  102.67 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Only 7 left
Champagne AOC Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru 2015 Nicolas Feuillatte

Champagne AOC Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru 2015 Nicolas Feuillatte

0,75 ℓ
90
92
Sale
56 €
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  74.67 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 62.90 € 
Lowest price: 56 € 
Champagne AOC Réserve Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Saintgybryen

Champagne AOC Réserve Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Saintgybryen

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
Discount 33%
29.90 €
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  39.87 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 45 € 
Lowest price: 45 € 
Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs Chouilly Grand Cru AOC Coste Beert Pierre Legras

Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs Chouilly Grand Cru AOC Coste Beert Pierre Legras

0,75 ℓ
91
90
Sale
47.30 €
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  63.07 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 52.90 € 
Lowest price: 47.30 € 
Champagne AOC Brut Grand Cru Spécial Club 2012 H. Goutorbe

Champagne AOC Brut Grand Cru Spécial Club 2012 H. Goutorbe

0,75 ℓ, Gift box
95
Discount 14%
101 €
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  134.67 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 118 € 
Lowest price: 118 € 
Free shipping
Champagne AOC Brut Premier Cru Grand Réserve Vilmart & Cie

Champagne AOC Brut Premier Cru Grand Réserve Vilmart & Cie

0,75 ℓ
92
Discount 33%
42.60 €
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  56.80 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 63.90 € 
Lowest price: 63.90 € 
Champagne AOC Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Pinot Noir Mailly

Champagne AOC Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Pinot Noir Mailly

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
Sale
55.50 €
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  74 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 59.90 € 
Lowest price: 55.50 € 
Only 3 left
Champagne AOC Brut Grand Cru Georges Vesselle

Champagne AOC Brut Grand Cru Georges Vesselle

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
Sale
40.80 €
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  54.40 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 45 € 
Lowest price: 39.90 € 
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