The difference between Champagne Premier Cru and Grand Cru lies in the quality and origin of the grapes used in the production of the Champagne.
To understand this difference, we need to delve into the concept of “Cru” in Champagne. In the Champagne region of France, the vineyards are classified into different categories or “Crus” based on their quality and reputation. The two highest categories are Grand Cru and Premier Cru.
A Grand Cru Champagne is made from grapes that are sourced exclusively from vineyards in the top-rated Grand Cru villages. These villages have consistently produced exceptional quality grapes and are considered the best of the best. Examples of Grand Cru villages include Ambonnay, Avize, Bouzy, and Verzenay, among others. When a bottle of Champagne is labeled as “Grand Cru,” it means that 100% of the grapes used in its production come from these prestigious villages.
On the other hand, Premier Cru Champagne is made from grapes sourced from Premier Cru villages, which are also highly regarded but slightly below the Grand Cru status. Premier Cru villages, such as Aÿ, Hautvillers, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, and Trepail, have a long history of producing excellent quality grapes. For a Champagne to be labeled as “Premier Cru,” it can either be made entirely from grapes sourced from these villages or can be a blend of both Premier and Grand Cru grapes. However, it is important to note that even in the case of a blend, the percentage of Grand Cru grapes should not exceed that of Premier Cru grapes.
In terms of quality, both Grand Cru and Premier Cru Champagnes are considered to be of high quality. However, Grand Cru Champagnes are often regarded as the pinnacle of excellence due to their exclusive use of grapes from the top-rated villages. The strict regulations and high standards set for Grand Cru Champagnes ensure that they consistently deliver exceptional taste and character.
It is worth mentioning that the ranking of villages in Champagne is based on a scale of 0-100%. This means that even a Premier Cru village, being ranked below Grand Cru, still needs to meet a minimum threshold of 80% to be classified as Premier Cru. This ensures that even Premier Cru Champagnes maintain a level of quality that is considerably higher than the average.
The main difference between Champagne Premier Cru and Grand Cru lies in the origin of the grapes used. While Grand Cru Champagnes are made exclusively from grapes sourced from the top-rated Grand Cru villages, Premier Cru Champagnes can be made from grapes sourced from Premier Cru villages or a blend of both Premier and Grand Cru grapes. Both categories represent exceptional quality, but Grand Cru Champagnes are often considered the epitome of excellence due to their exclusive use of grapes from the highest-rated villages.