Grand cru

Grand Cru is the highest level of classification of AOC wines from Burgundy or Alsace, those that come from a single vineyard. The same term is used in Saint-?milion and Champagne, but there it refers to a differing level of classification. Grand cru is one level above premier cru.

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In theory, and many times in practice, vineyards are designated "grand cru" (literally, "great growth") when they have shown the highest potential for greatness. It is emphatically not a classification of wine quality per se, but rather the potential of the site. An underachieving winemaker can easily make characterless wine from outstanding terroir, and a conscientious one can make a superior wine from a less-favored site. To help increase the quality of grand cru wines, they typically have the lowest maximum yields, not uncommonly around 25 hl/ha. However, there are no other real restrictions on winemaking.

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Especially within Burgundy, some Grand Cru vineyards contain climats or lieux dits within them which are even more specific; Corton and Clos Vougeot, for example. Lieux dits within Corton are Corton Clos de Cortons, owned by the Faively estate, and Corton Grancy, owned by the Louis Latour estate, among others.

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AOC: AOC can be:...

Burgundy: :This page is about the historical region and cultural area of Burgundy in France. For the modern-day French administrative r?gion of Bourgogne, see Bourgogne. For the wine, see Burgundy wine. For the color, see Burgundy (color)....

Alsace: Alsace (French: Alsace; Alsatian/German: Elza?) is one of the 26 r?gions of France. Originally part of the Holy Roman Empire and inhabited by people speaking a dialect of Upper German, Alsace gradually passed under French sovereignty in the course of the 17th century, and became one of the provinces...

Grand cru related Images and Photos (experimental)

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