Premier Cru

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Premier Cru is a French language wine term corresponding to "First Growth", and which can be used to refer to classified vineyards, wineries and wines, with slightly different meanings in different wine regions:^[1]

• For Bordeaux wine, the term is applied to classified wineries:
  • In the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855, Premier cru or Premier cru classé is the highest level of the classification of five in Médoc and the second-highest of three in Sauternes, the highest being Premier Cru Supérieur (superior first growth). These wines are often referred to as First Growths in English. (In this case, the term "Grand cru" refers to the entire classification.)
  • In the Classification of Saint-Émilion wine, the highest level is Premier grand cru classé A and the second-highest Premier grand cru classé B. (In this case, the term Saint-Émilion Grand cru refers to wineries or wines below the Premier grand cru classé B level, and is integrated within the appelation rules.)

• For Burgundy wine, the term is applied to classified vineyards. Premier cru is the second-highest classification level, below that of Grand cru, and above that of village. For Burgundy wines, the term Premier Cru is usually kept rather than translated into English.

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