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 Nature La Grâce d'Alphaël

Champagne AOC Grand Cru Brut Nature La Grâce d'Alphaël Philippe Glavier

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
Quantity discount 5%
60.90 €
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  81.20 €/ℓ
for at least 6 bottles
incl. VAT and taxes
Regular price: 63.90 €
Only 11 left
Champagne AOC Bouzy Grand Cru Brut Tradition Original 60/40

Champagne AOC Bouzy Grand Cru Brut Tradition Original 60/40 Delavenne

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
Quantity discount 5%
50 €
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  66.67 €/ℓ
for at least 6 bottles
incl. VAT and taxes
Regular price: 52.90 €
Champagne AOC Brut Chouilly Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Coste Beert

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

Magnum 1,5 ℓ
93
129 €
per bottle  (1,5 ℓ)  86 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Free shipping
Champagne AOC Grand Cru Brut Nuance

Champagne AOC Grand Cru Brut Nuance Secondé-Simon

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
48.20 €
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  64.27 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Only 4 left
Champagne AOC Grand Cru Brut Le Village 2015

Champagne AOC Grand Cru Brut Le Village 2015 Secondé-Simon

0,75 ℓ, Gift box
148 €
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  197.33 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Free shipping
Champagne AOC Grand Cru Bouzy Brut Rosé Rose Marne

Champagne AOC Grand Cru Bouzy Brut Rosé Rose Marne Delavenne

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
Quantity discount 5%
56 €
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  74.67 €/ℓ
for at least 6 bottles
incl. VAT and taxes
Regular price: 58.90 €
Champagne AOC Grand Cru Bouzy Brut Solera Ȃme de Vitalie

Champagne AOC Grand Cru Bouzy Brut Solera Ȃme de Vitalie Delavenne

0,75 ℓ, Gift box
France, Champagne
143 €
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  190.67 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Free shipping
Champagne AOC Grand Cru Brut Spécial Club

Champagne AOC Grand Cru Brut Spécial Club Paul Bara

0,75 ℓ, Gift box
France, Champagne
118 €
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  157.33 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Free shipping
Champagne AOC Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Orpale 2012

Champagne AOC Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Orpale 2012 De Saint Gall

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
136 €
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  181.33 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Free shipping
Champagne AOC Extra Brut Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru

Champagne AOC Extra Brut Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru Paul Déthune

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
104 €
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  138.67 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Free shipping
Champagne AOC Brut Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru La Côte aux Enfants 2013

Champagne AOC Brut Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru La Côte aux Enfants 2013 Bollinger

0,75 ℓ, Wooden box
97
97
1,359 €
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  1,812 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Only 1 left
Champagne AOC Grand Cru Nature Blanc de Blancs Cramant 2019

Champagne AOC Grand Cru Nature Blanc de Blancs Cramant 2019 Philippe Lancelot

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
106 €
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  141.33 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Free shipping
Champagne AOC Grand Cru Rosé Extra Brut

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 Extra Brut Champ d'Alouettes Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger 2005

Champagne AOC Grand Cru Extra Brut Champ d'Alouettes Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger 2005 Pascal Doquet

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
165 €
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  220 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Free shipping
Champagne AOC Grand Cru Extra Brut Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger Coeur de Terroir 2009

Champagne AOC Grand Cru Extra Brut Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger Coeur de Terroir 2009 Pascal Doquet

0,75 ℓ
95
145 €
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  193.33 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Free shipping
Champagne AOC Grand Cru Brut

Champagne AOC Grand Cru Brut Collery

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
66.90 €
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  89.20 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Only 6 left
Champagne AOC Grand Cru Extra-Brut L'Autre R

Champagne AOC Grand Cru Extra-Brut L'Autre R Jacques Rousseaux

0,75 ℓ
France, Champagne
68.90 €
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  91.87 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Champagne AOC Réserve Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru

Champagne AOC Réserve Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Saintgybryen

Magnum 1,5 ℓ
France, Champagne
Quantity discount 5%
88 €
per bottle  (1,5 ℓ)  58.67 €/ℓ
for at least 6 bottles
incl. VAT and taxes
Regular price: 92.90 €
Free shipping
By giving your explicit and specific consent you agree that Vino.com may use third-party cookies in order to send you marketing information in line with your preferences. You can set your preferences by clicking here. By selecting “Accept” you are consenting to the use of all types of cookies, while closing this banner you only enable the technical cookies required for the correct functioning of the website. If you require further information you can consult our cookie policy