grand cru: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal; specialist (oenology, gastronomy, luxury goods).
Quick answer
What does “grand cru” mean?
A top-quality vineyard or wine from a designated superior plot, especially in Burgundy and Alsace, France.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A top-quality vineyard or wine from a designated superior plot, especially in Burgundy and Alsace, France; a classification of excellence.
Used metaphorically to denote something of the highest quality or class in its field (e.g., a grand cru restaurant, a grand cru intellect).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Slightly more likely to be used in metaphorical extensions in UK English (e.g., 'a grand cru of journalism').
Connotations
Both varieties connote sophistication, expense, and European (specifically French) prestige. May carry a slight nuance of snobbery or exclusivity.
Frequency
Low frequency in general discourse but standard within wine and food circles in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “grand cru” in a Sentence
[be] + a grand cru + [of something][produce/make/be classified as] + a grand cru[consider/regard] + something + a grand cruVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “grand cru” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- This Meursault is a premier grand cru, absolutely stunning.
- The debate was a grand cru of political rhetoric.
American English
- He invested in several grand cru vineyards in Napa Valley.
- The novel is considered a grand cru of postmodern literature.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in marketing luxury goods, hospitality, and investment (e.g., 'The portfolio is focused on grand cru properties.')
Academic
Used in oenology, viticulture, and cultural studies discussing terroir and classification systems.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Might be used humorously or ironically (e.g., 'This tea is the grand cru of builder's brew.')
Technical
Precise legal term in French Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) law, denoting a specific geographic and qualitative rank.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “grand cru”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “grand cru”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “grand cru”
- Using it as a countable plural without 'wines' (e.g., 'We tasted three grand crus' is correct; 'three grand cru' is incorrect). Pronouncing 'cru' to rhyme with 'true' instead of 'crew'. Using it as a simple synonym for 'expensive'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. In Burgundy's hierarchy, 'grand cru' is the highest classification, above 'premier cru'. In Bordeaux, 'grand cru' has different meanings within specific ranking systems like the 1855 Classification.
Yes. While often italicised as a foreign term, it is sufficiently naturalised in English wine writing to be used in standard roman type, especially in plural forms (grand crus).
Pronounce it 'kroo', like the word 'crew'. The final 'u' is silent.
Yes, metaphorically, to denote the very best of its kind (e.g., 'a grand cru of journalism'), but this is a figurative extension of the original oenological term.
A top-quality vineyard or wine from a designated superior plot, especially in Burgundy and Alsace, France.
Grand cru is usually formal; specialist (oenology, gastronomy, luxury goods). in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The grand cru of [its kind]”
- “A grand cru amongst [ordinary things]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a GRAND castle (cru) on a hill where only the finest grapes are grown.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUALITY IS HIERARCHICAL RANK (like nobility), EXCELLENCE IS A SPECIFIC LOCATION (terroir).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for the term 'grand cru'?