What are Grand Cru and Premier Cru, and what is the classification system for Champagne?

The classification system for Champagne

Champagne labels rarely mention the years in which the grapes were grown, as this forms part of their strict pricing system known as the ‘vintage scale’. The percentage determines the price of the grapes and is used solely to establish how much a vineyard was paid for its grapes.

Out of a total of 321 villages that produce Champagne, only 17 villages have the privilege of being classified as 100% crus (based on the base price set for the entire region) and can claim the appellation “Grand Cru”.
44 villages are classified as ranging from 99 per cent to 90 per cent and are entitled to use the designation “premier cru”.

The grapes, vintages and wines of the highest quality are made from 100 per cent crus. This classification is not merely theoretical but determines the quality of the grapes, and the finest wines and vintages are made from 100 per cent crus.

In 1935, the classification was amended to prevent Champagne vineyard owners from lowering prices by requiring a minimum purchase of 50 per cent of grapes. Since then, some changes have been made to the percentages used in these Champagne classifications of crus. The minimum purchase requirement was raised to 80 per cent, meaning that this classification now comprises three categories: Cru de Champagne (AOC) at 80–89 per cent, Premier Cru at 90–90 per cent, and 100 per cent Grand Cru.

17 Grand Crus classified at 100%
They cover 14 per cent of the appellation’s total area. They are located in the following communes:

Ambonnay, Avize, Aÿ, Beaumont-sur-Vesle, Bouzy, Chouilly, Cramant, Louvois, Mailly-Champagne, Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Oiry, Puisieulx, Sillery, Tours-sur-Marne, Verzy,Verzenay.

44 Premiers Crus classified from 99 per cent to 90 per cent
(municipalities or parts of municipalities). They account for around 17.6 per cent of the total area, that is to say around 5,000 ha.

Avenay, Bergères-les-Vertus, Bezannes, Billy-le-Grand, Bisseuil, Chamery, Champillon, Chign-les-Roses, Chouilly (Pinot Noir), Coligny (Chardonnay), Cormontreuil, Coulommes-la-Montagne, Cuis, Cumières, Dizy, Ecueil, Etrechy (Chardonnay), Grauves, Hautvillers, Jouy-les-Reims, Les Mesneux, Ludes, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Montbré, Mutigny, Pargny-les-Reims, Pierry, Rilly-la-Montagne, Sacy, Sermiers, Taissy, Tauxières, Tours-sur-Marne (Chardonnay), Trépail, Trois Puits, Vaudemanges, Vertus, Villedommange, Villeneuve-Renneville, Villers-Allerand, Villers-aux-Noeuds, Villers-Marmery, Voipreux, Vrigny.

237 classified crus ranging from 89% to 80%
(all other communes). They account for approximately 68.4 per cent of the total vineyard area.