Designation (ladder of growths) for the classification of vineyards in the French wine-growing region of Champagne. In contrast to the Bordeaux or Burgundy classification, this does not apply to specific vineyards or sites, but to communes. This means that all vineyards located there are classified. It began in the 18th century, when individual sites were ranked according to quality in order to determine grape prices. It is said that the distance of the vineyard from the press house was the original decision criterion. The shorter the distance to the press after the grape harvest, the fresher the grapes and therefore the higher the classification.
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