Premier cru

Premier cru meaning in wine

Premier cru (often abbreviated as 1er cru) is a prestigious French wine classification translating to “first growth,” designating vineyards of exceptional quality and terroir. In Burgundy, premier cru represents the second-highest classification tier, positioned between village-level appellations and the supreme grand cru sites. Burgundy contains approximately 640 premier cru vineyards across both Côte d’Or subregions, covering roughly 2,100 hectares. These sites must demonstrate superior soil composition, optimal exposition, and historical reputation for producing wines of distinctive character. In Champagne, the term historically referred to villages rated 90-99% on the échelle des crus (scale of growths), though this system was officially abolished in 2010. Premier cru Champagne villages were entitled to charge higher grape prices than cru villages but less than grand cru sites rated at 100%. The classification reflects centuries of empirical observation regarding which specific vineyard plots consistently produce grapes of superior quality. Premier cru wines typically command higher prices than village-level wines due to their limited production and enhanced complexity. The term appears on wine labels, indicating the wine originates from these classified premier cru vineyard sites, serving as a quality guarantee for consumers seeking exceptional terroir expression.

Premier cru FAQ

Premier Cru vs Grand Cru: What is the difference?

In Burgundy, Grand Cru is the highest quality tier and represents the most prestigious vineyard sites. Premier Cru is the second-highest tier, indicating exceptional vineyards just below Grand Cru in prestige and complexity.

What does 1er cru mean?

1er cru is the standard abbreviation for premier cru, meaning “first growth.” It designates high-quality, classified vineyards in France.