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 Extra Brut Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru Georges Vesselle

Champagne AOC Extra Brut Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru Georges Vesselle

0,75 ℓ, Gift box
France, Champagne
Sale
52 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  69.33 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 58.90 € 
Lowest price: 52 € 
Champagne  AOC Grand Cru Brut So Dark 2016 De Saint Gall

Champagne AOC Grand Cru Brut So Dark 2016 De Saint Gall

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
Discount 19%
59 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  78.67 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 73.90 € 
Lowest price: 73 € 
Champagne AOC Brut Rosé Grand Cru Georges Vesselle

Champagne AOC Brut Rosé Grand Cru Georges Vesselle

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
Sale
46.40 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  61.87 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 51 € 
Lowest price: 46.40 € 
Champagne AOC Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Petite Vallée

Champagne AOC Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Petite Vallée

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
Discount 27%
65.90 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  87.87 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 90.50 € 
Lowest price: 90.50 € 
Only 4 left
Champagne AOC Grand Cru Verzenay Extra Brut Tradition Jacques Rousseaux

Champagne AOC Grand Cru Verzenay Extra Brut Tradition Jacques Rousseaux

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
50 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  66.67 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Only 3 left
Champagne AOC Grand Cru Nature Paul Déthune

Champagne AOC Grand Cru Nature Paul Déthune

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
Sale
55.90 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  74.53 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 64.90 € 
Lowest price: 55.90 € 
Champagne AOC Rosé Grand Cru Brut Paul Déthune

Champagne AOC Rosé Grand Cru Brut Paul Déthune

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
Sale
57.90 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  77.20 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 67.90 € 
Lowest price: 57.90 € 
Champagne AOC Grand Cru Bouzy Brut Nature Delavenne

Champagne AOC Grand Cru Bouzy Brut Nature Delavenne

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
Discount 9%
50 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  66.67 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 55 € 
Lowest price: 55 € 
Only 12 left
Champagne AOC Grand Cru Bouzy Brut Amour de Louise Delavenne

Champagne AOC Grand Cru Bouzy Brut Amour de Louise Delavenne

0,75 ℓ, Gift box
France, Champagne
Discount 8%
123 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  164 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 135 € 
Lowest price: 135 € 
Free shipping
Champagne AOC Bouzy Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Lumière Delavenne

Champagne AOC Bouzy Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Lumière Delavenne

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
Discount 7%
50 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  66.67 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 54 € 
Lowest price: 54 € 
Only 7 left
Champagne AOC Grand Cru Verzenay Extra Brut Rosé de Saignée Jacques Rousseaux

Champagne AOC Grand Cru Verzenay Extra Brut Rosé de Saignée Jacques Rousseaux

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
Discount 5%
50 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  66.67 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 53.50 € 
Lowest price: 53 € 
Only 4 left
Champagne AOC Grand Cru  Brut Collery

Champagne AOC Grand Cru Brut Collery

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
Sale
57 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  76 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 66.90 € 
Lowest price: 57 € 
Only 6 left
Champagne AOC Grand Cru Brut Paul Déthune

Champagne AOC Grand Cru Brut Paul Déthune

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
Sale
54 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  72 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 63 € 
Lowest price: 54 € 
Champagne AOC Grand Cru Extra Brut Collery

Champagne AOC Grand Cru Extra Brut Collery

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
Discount 19%
62 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  82.67 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 77 € 
Lowest price: 77 € 
Only 6 left
Champagne AOC Grand Cru Extra Brut Paul Déthune

Champagne AOC Grand Cru Extra Brut Paul Déthune

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
Sale
53.50 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  71.33 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 62.90 € 
Lowest price: 53.50 € 
Only 11 left
Champagne AOC Grand Cru Demi-Sec L’Île Delavenne

Champagne AOC Grand Cru Demi-Sec L’Île Delavenne

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
Discount 16%
48.30 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  64.40 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 57.90 € 
Lowest price: 57.90 € 
Only 11 left
Champagne AOC Grand Cru Brut Nuance Secondé-Simon

Champagne AOC Grand Cru Brut Nuance Secondé-Simon

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
Discount 14%
41.20 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  54.93 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 48.20 € 
Lowest price: 48.20 € 
Only 1 left
Champagne AOC Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru  Brut Collery

Champagne AOC Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru Brut Collery

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
Discount 19%
68 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  90.67 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 84 € 
Lowest price: 84 € 
Only 6 left
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