Claret

What is claret wine?

Claret (or claret wine) is the traditional British name for red wines from the Bordeaux region of France.

Claret meaning and definition

The meaning of claret derives from the medieval French term “clairet,” meaning “clear” or “light-colored.” Historically, claret referred specifically to light-colored red wines that were less deeply extracted than modern Bordeaux reds.

Today, the definition encompasses all claret red wine, which typically means red Bordeaux blends dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. It can also describe Bordeaux-style red blends made elsewhere, but the core meaning remains tied to Bordeaux.

The wines typically display flavors of dark fruits, cedar, tobacco, and earthy minerality. Authentic Bordeaux clarets may come from appellations like Médoc, Saint-Julien, or Pauillac.