Origin
In Bourgogne’s detailed classification framework, Premier Cru appellations are positioned just above village appellations. These prestigious vineyard sites have a longstanding tradition of producing high-quality wines, making them some of the finest offerings in French Burgundy. Premier Cru wines are predominantly made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with a minor inclusion of Aligoté. It is uncommon for a Premier Cru vineyard to be entirely owned by a single proprietor (referred to as a monopole); instead, ownership is generally shared among multiple stakeholders, each responsible for their own vineyard sections.
There are over 600 Premier Cru vineyards across Chablis, the Côte d’Or, and the Côte Chalonnaise, representing about one-tenth of the region’s total wine production. Labels must clearly indicate “Premier Cru.” When a wine is sourced from a single vineyard, the vineyard’s name appears alongside the appellation on the label, such as Gevrey-Chambertin Champeaux or Morey-Saint-Denis Les Millandes. When wines are blended from various Premier Cru vineyards within a village, individual vineyard names are typically not included on the label.
