In the world of wine, Premier Cru is a term used to denote a high quality level of vineyard classification in certain French wine regions, most notably in Burgundy and Champagne. Here is detailed information about Premier Cru:
The term Premier Cru translates to "First Growth" from French. In the Burgundy wine classification system, vineyards are categorized into a hierarchy:
The classification of Premier Cru vineyards in Burgundy has historical roots that can be traced back to the Middle Ages when religious orders and nobility recognized the quality of certain plots of land. However, the modern classification system was formalized in the 20th century with the establishment of the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) in 1936. This system aimed to protect and promote the unique characteristics of regional French wines, including those from Premier Cru vineyards.
While Burgundy is most famous for its Premier Cru vineyards, the classification also exists in:
Wines from Premier Cru vineyards are often:
Some of the well-known Premier Cru vineyards in Burgundy include: