Short definition
The highest vineyard classification in Burgundy and Alsace, indicating sites considered to produce the finest wines.
In Burgundy, Grand Cru is the top tier — there are only 33 of them. The label carries just the vineyard name (Romanée-Conti, Le Chambertin, Montrachet) without mentioning the village. In Alsace, 51 vineyards hold Grand Cru status. In Champagne, the term refers to villages rather than individual vineyards. The meaning shifts by region, so context matters.