cru

American  

[kroo, kry] / kru, krü /

noun

plural

crus

1. (in France) a vineyard producing wine of high quality, sometimes classified by the government as either a Great Growth Grand Cru or a First Growth Premier Cru.

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cru British  

/ kruː, kry /

noun

1. winemaking (in France) a vineyard, group of vineyards, or wine-producing region

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Etymology

Origin of cru

1815–25; < French, noun use of crû, past participle of croître to grow < Latin crēscere

Example Sentences

It’s sourced from grand cru villages Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger, produced by a family that’s bottled its own Champagnes for nearly 100 years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 11, 2025

For example, enjoying an exceptional Burgundy grand cru while overlooking the vineyards where it was produced, after a guided estate tour with the winemaker sharing its story, elevates the experience.

From Salon • Jan. 7, 2025

This lively red from the Beaujolais cru appellation of Morgon is rich with cherry and bramble flavors.

From Washington Post • Jan. 12, 2023

Had the vineyard been a grand cru, he said, he would not have been able to afford to do that.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 14, 2022

Mais jamais, à aucune époque, on n'a cru à tant de billevesées, de bourdes, de mensonges, de sottises, d'absurdités qu'aujourd'hui.

From Our Fathers Have Told Us Part I. The Bible of Amiens by Ruskin, John