French winemaking term
How to pronounce Grand cru classé
Grand cru classé is pronounced GRAHN KROO klah-SAY. The main stress falls on SAY.
GRAHN KROO klah-SAY
What is Grand cru classé?
A classification term used in Bordeaux to denote estates ranked in one of the region's official classifications. The most famous is the 1855 Médoc Classification ranking estates into five growths. Saint-Émilion has its own periodically revised classification. The term signifies historically recognized quality and prestige.
The name means “Classified great growth” in French.
Tips for saying it
Often heard as GRAHND KROO klah-SAY.
The final d in grand is silent before a consonant: GRAHN KROO klah-SAY.
Often heard as GRAHN KROO KLASS.
The é at the end of classé is a clear ay sound that must be kept: GRAHN KROO klah-SAY.
Often heard as GRAN KROO klah-SAY.
The an in grand is a nasal vowel with no real n at the end: GRAHN KROO klah-SAY.
Related pronunciations
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