What is Claret?

Quite simply, Claret is the British term for traditional red wines from Bordeaux, blends of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The term originated in England when Bordeaux became a part of the English crown after the marriage of King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine in 1151 and thus Bordeaux wine was a regular on English shores. It is thought to be linked to the French term ‘Clairet’, which at the time referred to light reds. Nowadays, 'Clairet' is used for deeper coloured Rose from Bordeaux, whilst 'Claret' has evolved to denote the deeper, darker reds. So, you can see the link remains albeit that it has shifted in colour depth. The term is quite unfashionable now and you will hardly ever hear it except from an elderly Grandparent! Still, for those who know what it means, the term conveys a sense of tradtion and surety about the wine.