Collection: Buy Grand Cru Champagnes

Champagnes "Grand Cru": regional excellence

The Champagne region is world-renowned for its sparkling wines, embodying elegance and refinement. At the heart of this high-flying reputation, the Grand Cru champagnes illustrate the finest regional terroirs.

The genesis of Grands Crus in Champagne

The history of the terms "Grand Cru" and "Premier Cru" in Champagne dates back to the early 20th century.Indeed, it was in 1919 that the region established an official classification by producing village. This classification aimed to recognize the exceptional quality of grapes produced in certain areas to better enhance their value. In fact, the classification of a village as Premier Cru or Grand Cru still has a significant impact today on the price per kilo of grapes produced there. But let's return to our classification. 

Within this hierarchy, we distinguish between the Premiers Crus and the Grands Crus. The Premiers Crus, numbering 42, already represent an elite among the region's vineyards. These villages often offer a superior quality of grapes and consequently higher prices than the average.

The Grands Crus villages, at the top of the qualitative pyramid, are 17 and define Champagne excellence. The most well-known among them are Avize, Aÿ, Ambonnay, Mailly-Champagne, Bouzy, Chouilly, Cramant, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, and Verzenay.

These 17 villages cover 4,000 hectares and represent just over 11% of the total area of the Champagne vineyard (34,300 hectares). In total, 11 villages are located within the Montagne de Reims and 6 in Côte des Blancs.

The typicities of Grands Crus champagnes

There are several styles of Grands Crus champagnes and not just one. Nevertheless, all stand out for their complexity, their aromatic depth as well as their finesse. The emblematic grape varieties of the region, such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, express themselves with a very particular intensity.

Blancs de Blancs Champagnes

The "Grand Cru" Champagnes from the Côte des Blancs are made from the Chardonnay grape variety. These Blancs de Blancs captivate with their freshness, their minerality, and their delicate floral notes.

Among the renowned villages in this part of Champagne, Oger and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger stand out particularly. This type of champagne is ideal for lovers of finesse and elegance. 

Blanc de Noirs Champagnes

The "Grand Cru" Blanc de Noirs Champagnes are made from the Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grape varieties, either in a blend or as a single varietal. These cuvées often offer a more powerful and structured expression.

Blanc de Noirs are often found in villages like Mailly or Bouzy, specialists in the genre where the Pinot Noir grape particularly imparts the bottles with vinous and deep aromas.

Rosé Champagne

Rosé Champagne captivates with its delicate color and fruity aromas, offering a refined experience on the palate. It is primarily available in brut and can be crafted in two distinct ways. 

Either by maceration of black grapes before pressing (rosé de saignée), a method that allows the extraction of the coloring and aromatic richness from the grape skins, giving the wine a deeper hue and intense flavors.

Or by blending, by adding a little red Champagne wine to the champagne. The color is then more subtle and the whole offers a fine and unique aromatic complexity.

Rosé champagne beautifully combines visual elegance and gustatory richness, making it a popular choice for celebrations.

The villages classified as grands crus

There are 17 villages in Champagne whose vineyards are classified as "Grand Cru". These communes are located exclusively in the Montagne de Reims as well as within the Côte des Blancs .

Indeed, to date, neither the Vallée de la Marne nor the Côte des Bar have villages classified as "Grand Cru". Moreover, although the villages of Aÿ and Tours-sur-Marne are geographically located in the Vallée de la Marne, they are nevertheless attached to the Montagne de Reims for historical reasons concerning the quality and style of the wines produced.

Montagne de Reims (Pinot noir dominant)

• Aÿ: Powerful and fruity Champagnes
• Tours-sur-Marne : Harmonious, balanced Champagnes with a beautiful roundness
• Ambonnay : Powerful and structured Champagnes
• Verzy : Fleshy, structured, and persistent Champagnes
• Louvois: Complex and persistent Champagnes
• Mailly-Champagne : Elegant Champagnes with aromas of red fruits and spices
• Puisieulx : Structured Champagnes with aromas of black fruits and spices
• Sillery : Fruity, balanced, and complex Champagnes
• Beaumont-sur-Vesle : Elegant, structured, fruity Champagnes with a beautiful minerality
• Bouzy : Rich, opulent, vinous Champagnes
• Verzenay : Intense, deep, complex, and structured Champagnes

Côte des Blancs (Chardonnay majoritaire)

• Avize : Fine, mineral, and floral Champagnes
• Chouilly : Delicate, fresh, and aromatic Champagnes 
• Cramant : Pure Champagnes with aromas of white fruits and white flowers
• Oger: Racy Champagnes with notes of brioche and white fruits
• Mesnil-sur-Oger: Mineral, lively, and refined Champagnes
• Oiry : Fine, floral, and delicate Champagnes

A varied selection for delivery

At La Cave Éclairée, our entire selection is guaranteed in stock! Furthermore, with us, quality, whether it concerns service or product, is the key word. That is why we offer you the option to choose between delivery to a collection point (low cost and flexibility), home delivery (convenience and reliability), or even express home delivery, for those of you in a hurry !

On the other hand, if you have any doubts about choosing your favorite sparkling or effervescent, do not hesitate to call us , we will be happy to guide you in your decision-making as best as possible. From Grand Cru to classic Brut, including your delicious rosé champagne, we will take the same care in guiding you !

The selection is also intended to be eclectic, from small family estates (domaine Pierre Paillard, domaine Veuve Fourny, domaine Franck Bonville etc.) to the great house of quality (house Perrier-Jouët, house  Charles Heidsieck or even house Philipponnat etc.).

You now know everything about the Grands Crus of Champagne ! All that's left is to make your choice from our stock ! Thanks to La Cave Éclairée, you have access to a diverse selection of exceptional wines, from blanc de blancs champagne to rosé champagne, including your usual favorite bottle! With us, there is something for every taste and every budget!

 Don't wait any longer to discover and savor the best of AOC Champagne ! Also, feel free to give us your feedback, either by leaving positive ratings on Google or by directly leaving product reviews on our site.We look forward to your hearing from you!