There are 17 villages in the Champagne wine region with Grand Cru status.
The classification applies to villages rather than individual vineyards. Under Champagne’s historic cru system, villages were rated on a percentage scale known as the échelle des crus. The 17 villages receiving the top rating of 100% became Grand Cru villages.
These villages are spread mainly through the Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne and Côte des Blancs areas. Famous examples include Ambonnay, Aÿ, Verzenay, Verzy, Avize, Oger and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger.
Grand Cru status does not mean every bottle from a village is automatically superior, and it does not replace producer or vintage differences. Champagne labels may also use Premier Cru, a lower village classification, or no cru designation at all.