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St Emilion 'Grand Cru' -- what does it actually mean?

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Peter May

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St Emilion 'Grand Cru' -- what does it actually mean?

by Peter May » Tue May 01, 2007 7:23 am

I get a little confused with St Emilion classifications.

If a bottle of St Emilion says 'Grand Cru' on it, does this actually mean anything, or is it like the 'Grand Vin' you often see on some basic Bordeaux.

If it does mean any thing, what does it mean and is there an online list of 'Grand Cru' as I have found only the 'Grand Cru Classes'
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Ryan D

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Re: St Emilion 'Grand Cru' -- what does it actually mean?

by Ryan D » Tue May 01, 2007 9:00 am

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Last edited by Ryan D on Tue May 01, 2007 9:17 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: St Emilion 'Grand Cru' -- what does it actually mean?

by Peter May » Tue May 01, 2007 9:15 am

Ryan D wrote:Go --> here.

Long story short, in St Emilion, Grand Cru is the 3rd level, below Premier Grand Cru A [2] and B [13].


I am not asking about Grand Cru Classe, but Grand Cru
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Re: St Emilion 'Grand Cru' -- what does it actually mean?

by Dale Williams » Tue May 01, 2007 9:15 am

Ryan,
that is Grand Cru Classe.

Beyond the actual classified wines, a huge proportion of St Emilions qualify for the "St-Emilion Grand Cru" appellation (which includes all the Grand Cru Classe wines). That just means they are within the "classic" St-E area and have a (fairly low) minimum alcohol. If I was a GCC estate I'd really hate this system, as it confuses consumers.

Approximate numbers (recent reclassification got thrown out in court):
Grand Cru Classe A : 2
Grand Cru Classe B: 13?
Grand Cru Classe: 40-50?
Grand Cru - hundreds (actually, so many even the governing body can't tell).
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Re: St Emilion 'Grand Cru' -- what does it actually mean?

by Dale Williams » Tue May 01, 2007 9:16 am

PS I almost never see any St Emilions being imported to US that don't quality for GC appellation.
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Re: St Emilion 'Grand Cru' -- what does it actually mean?

by Michael Pronay » Wed May 02, 2007 5:27 am

Let me clarify a little.

"Grand Cru" in St-Émilion is not a classification proper spoken, but an AOC. It's granted on request to any wine on a yearly basis, just like the other AOC,"St-Émilion" tout court. I don't know whether there is a formal disticntion between "St-Émilion" and "St-Émilion Grand Cru", but there is probably a slightly higher minimum alcohol content for Grand Cru or such minor distinctions. Awarding the AOC includes a tasting, but the standards are rathjer low (just like in any other French AOC).

Roughly one third of the annual yield in St-Émilion is St-Émilion Grand Cru.

Thus said, obtaining the AOC "St-Émilion Grand Cru" is of major importance for the Grands Crus Classés: One has to apply (and be granted) the AOC "St-Émilion Grand Cru" in ortder to legally mention "St-Émilion Grand Cru Classé" on the label.

So practically all St-Émilion top wines carry the "St-Émilion Grand Cru". Only very few rebels do not apply, François Mitjaville's Tertre Rotebœuf and Roc de Cambes and Stephan Neipperg's La Mondotte come to my mind. Simard is the only other not carrying the Grand Cru mention from 121 St-Émilions and satellites tasted in the first week of April in Bordeaux from cask.
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