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What does ”grand cru” on a bottle of champagne really mean? | Per on Forbes

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Don’t be fooled by “grand cru” on a champagne bottle. Grand cru and premier cru are famous words. You see them on many champagne bottles. Probably, most people take it as a sign that the wine inside is of better quality.

Is that true? Not necessarily.

In Champagne, these denominations were created mainly as a tool for price-fixing.

Today, grand cru and premier cru has no official value; it is not an official quality indication, nor a classification. It is a historical mention that is still tolerated. To find the best quality champagne, you should look at who has made it, not what percentage it was given on a price scale a hundred years ago.

Here’s the story, including some personal opinions on the evolution.

Read more in Per’s article on BKWine Magazine, originally published on Forbes: “Grand cru” and “premier cru” on Champagne, what does it mean? Why was it abandoned? | Per on Forbes.

Travel: Come on a wine tour to Champagne with BKWine.

Bottles in a pupitre in the cellar of Champagne J Lassalle
Bottles in a pupitre in the cellar of Champagne J Lassalle, copyright BKWine Photography
Bottles resting in a cellar in Champagne
Bottles resting in a cellar in Champagne, copyright BKWine Photography
Pinot noir harvested in a vineyard in Champagne
Pinot Noir harvested in a vineyard in Champagne, copyright BKWine Photography
Tasting and lunch in Champagne
Tasting and lunch in Champagne, copyright BKWine Photography

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