This July, there’s no better time to fall in love with French wine. Enjoy 25% off all French wines at Terry’s, and complete your French table with our featured French cheeses, pâtés, foie gras, duck confit, and duck cassoulet.
Now, let’s talk about what’s actually in the bottle.
Some wine labels seem determined to test your French before you’ve even poured a glass.
Grand Cru Classé. Premier Cru. Grand Cru.
They sound impressive, and they are, but they’re also easier to understand than you might think. These classifications aren’t just fancy words on a label. They tell the story of where a wine comes from, how it’s made, and why it’s earned its place among France’s finest.
Think of this as your cheat sheet. No wine exam required.
We’re uncorking three remarkable bottles from Bordeaux and Burgundy to show you exactly what’s in the bottle, what makes each one special, and when it’s the perfect time to pop the cork.
Featured Bottle: Croix Canon
Why is it special?
If you’re looking for a classic introduction to Saint-Émilion, Croix Canon is an excellent place to start.
Produced by the renowned Château Canon, a Premier Grand Cru Classé B estate dating back to 1760, Croix Canon is the Château’s second wine. That means it benefits from the same prestigious terroir and meticulous winemaking philosophy while offering a style that’s more approachable in its youth.
It’s Bordeaux with all the elegance and a little less waiting.
So, what’s actually in the bottle?
Croix Canon is predominantly a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, grown on Saint-Émilion’s famous clay-limestone soils.
Those soils are the secret behind the wine’s freshness, finesse, and ability to age gracefully.
In the cellar, the grapes are gently vinified using gravity-flow techniques before spending around 18 months in French oak barrels, with only a small percentage of new oak. The result? The fruit remains the star of the show.
What does it taste like?
Expect aromas of ripe red and black berries layered with delicate floral notes and a gentle hint of spice.
On the palate, it’s silky, vibrant, and beautifully balanced, with refined tannins and a long, elegant finish.
Sophisticated? Absolutely.
Intimidating? Not even close.
What should you pair it with?
Croix Canon shines alongside:
- Roast lamb
- Grilled beef
- Duck
- Mushroom dishes
- Hard cheeses and charcuterie
Basically, if dinner is hearty, this bottle is happy.
When should you open it?
This is the bottle for birthdays, Sunday roasts, dinner parties, or simply because Tuesday deserved better.
While it has the structure to age for another five to ten years, it’s wonderfully enjoyable today.
Featured Bottle: Nuits-St-Georges Aux Chaignots Premier Cru
Why is it special?
In Burgundy, great vineyards are everything.
The Premier Cru designation is reserved for vineyards recognized for producing wines of exceptional quality, and Aux Chaignotsis one of the Côte de Nuits’ celebrated sites.
Crafted by Edouard Delaunay, this wine is a beautiful expression of what Pinot Noir can achieve when terroir takes center stage.
So, what’s actually in the bottle?
One grape.
100% Pinot Noir.
The grapes are harvested by hand before undergoing careful vinification lasting around 18 days.
The wine is then matured for approximately 14 months in oak barrels, with about 30% new oak, adding complexity while preserving the vineyard’s natural character.
What does it taste like?
Rich cherry aromas mingle with forest floor, heather, subtle spice, coffee, and truffle.
The palate is silky yet powerful, revealing layers of black fruits, mocha, dark chocolate, sweet spices, and an elegant earthy finish.
It’s the kind of wine that changes a little with every sip, which makes putting the glass down surprisingly difficult.
What should you pair it with?
Its refined structure pairs beautifully with:
- Boeuf Bourguignon
- Terrines
- Roast duck
- Braised meats
- Mushroom-based dishes
Comfort food never looked so elegant.
When should you open it?
When dinner is more than just dinner.
Anniversaries, long weekends, holiday feasts, or whenever you’ve finally convinced everyone to put their phones away for the evening.
Featured Bottle: Grand Calcaire Chablis Les Preuses Grand Cru
Why is it special?
Despite its prestigious classification, Grand Calcaire Chablis Les Preuses Grand Cru proves that elegance doesn’t always come in red.
Created by fifth-generation Burgundians Laurent Delaunay and Dominique Gruhier, this Chardonnay showcases everything that makes Chablis one of the world’s most celebrated white wine regions.
It’s fresh, mineral-driven, and wonderfully expressive of its limestone-rich soils.
So, what’s actually in the bottle?
100% Chardonnay.
The grapes grow on the region’s famous Kimmeridgian clay-limestone soils, rich in ancient marine fossils that give Chablis its signature chalky minerality. What does this mean? Chablis was once an ancient ocean, so the soils here are full of shells and fossils!
The wine is fermented in a combination of stainless steel tanks and older oak barrels before aging on its lees for up to 18 months, creating remarkable freshness with just the right touch of creaminess.
Minimal intervention in the vineyard allows the fruit, and the terroir, to speak for themselves.
What does it taste like?
Think white blossoms, citrus zest, crisp green apple, refined yellow fruits, and unmistakable minerality.
It’s vibrant, refreshing, and incredibly precise, finishing with a clean, lingering elegance.
If wines could wear tailored linen, this would be it.
What should you pair it with?
This bottle loves:
- Fresh oysters
- Shellfish
- Crab
- Grilled fish
- Roast pork
- Creamy cheeses
Seafood night just found its perfect plus-one.
When should you open it?
Warm afternoons.
Fresh seafood lunches.
Celebrations by the water.
Or simply whenever you’re craving a white wine that’s crisp enough to refresh but complex enough to keep you talking about it.
So… Which Bottle Would You Try?
If you enjoy smooth, fruit-forward reds with classic Bordeaux character, Croix Canon is an easy recommendation.
If you’re fascinated by the elegance and depth of Pinot Noir, Nuits-St-Georges Aux Chaignots Premier Cru is ready to impress.
And if your heart belongs to vibrant, mineral-driven whites, Grand Calcaire Chablis Les Preuses Grand Cru deserves a place in your glass.
The beauty of these wines isn’t just their prestigious classifications, it’s the stories they tell. Every bottle reflects generations of craftsmanship, remarkable vineyards, and a sense of place that simply can’t be replicated.
The next time you spot Grand Cru, Premier Cru, or Grand Cru Classé on a label, you’ll know there’s much more inside than just great wine, you’ll know exactly what’s in your bottle.
This July, enjoy 25% off all French wines at Terry’s, and make the most of the season with featured French cheeses, pâtés, foie gras, duck confit, and duck cassoulet. Whether you’re planning a relaxed dinner at home or gathering friends around the table, there’s never been a better excuse to uncork something French.
Visit Terry’s this July and discover the bottle that’s calling your name. Santé! 🥂
