The tête de cuvée is the ultimate expression of a Champagne house and it is usually accordingly expensive and lavishly packaged. Overall the Champenois maintain an outstanding quality at this level, particularly from fine vintages. Tête de Cuvées may be Rosés or Blanc de Blancs or a conventional blend of Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay.

Champagne has only one appellation: Champagne. Nonetheless, the region does have a highly developed Cru system that rates each vineyard for its potential quality. The appellation of Champagne is composed of five sub-regions, which contain communes rated as Grand Cru, Premier Cru, or bearing no cru designation. The Champagne from big-name producers that most consumers are familiar with is generally a highly blended product made from fruit sourced from many of Champagne's sub-regions. Such champagnes may contain significant amounts of Grand Cru fruit, particularly in the more prestigious cuvées. When one sees "Grand Cru" on a label, the name of the commune will also be marked. Such champagne is invariably a grower champagne from a small producer who owns holdings in one commune.