Premier cru

Premier cru is in France the vineyard classification category located just below grand cru. In Burgundy, premier crus represent around 10 percent of regional production, distributed across some 690 specific climats (Les Suchots, Les Amoureuses, Les Charmes, Les Combottes). In Bordeaux, the term premier cru classe designates the five largest Medoc chateaux of 1855 (Lafite-Rothschild, Latour, Margaux, Haut-Brion, Mouton-Rothschild). In Champagne, the premier cru label identifies communes valued at 90-99 percent of the maximum rate. Premier crus are a common signature of three star wine lists (Source: INAO, 2026).