French specialist term for a vineyard, usually reserved for those officially recognized as of superior quality. Such recognition was already known in Ancient rome. In English the word is often translated as ‘growth’. premiers crus, for example, are called first growths in bordeaux, according to one of their official classifications. A cru that has been ‘classified’ is a cru classé, or classed growth. grands crus can also have a very specific meaning, notably in burgundy and alsace.
The top-ranked communes in beaujolais are called crus, and their produce is Cru Beaujolais.
