Origin
Within Bourgogne’s comprehensive classification system, Premier Cru appellations are positioned just above village appellations. These appellations denote vineyard sites that have consistently produced superior wines for centuries, ranking them among the finest French Burgundy wines available. Premier Cru wines are predominantly made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with a small addition of Aligoté in some cases. It is uncommon for a Premier Cru vineyard to be owned entirely by one individual (termed a monopole); instead, ownership is generally shared among multiple owners, each managing their own vineyard plots.
There are more than 600 Premier Cru vineyards spread across Chablis, the Côte d’Or, and the Côte Chalonnaise, representing approximately 10% of Burgundy’s total wine production. Wines must display “Premier Cru” on their labels. When the wine is sourced from a single vineyard, the vineyard name is also included on the label, such as Gevrey-Chambertin Champeaux or Morey-Saint-Denis Les Millandes. In cases where wines are blended from multiple Premier Cru vineyards within a village, the specific vineyard names are typically not listed on the label.
