🍷 Clairet
A dark pink, almost light red wine from Bordeaux, halfway between rosé and red.
Clairet is a deep pink wine from Bordeaux. In colour and taste it sits between rosé and a light red. Bordeaux has a separate appellation for it, Bordeaux Clairet.
It is made from the same grapes as red Bordeaux: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The difference is maceration. The skins stay with the juice for about one or two days, longer than for ordinary rosé. That gives a rich cherry colour and a touch of tannin.
In the Middle Ages the Bordeaux shipped to England was pale, much like today's clairet. The English word claret comes from the French clairet. Today the English use claret for red Bordeaux in general, while clairet remains a style of its own.
Clairet is drunk young and lightly chilled. It suits simple summer food: grilled meat, salads and snacks. It is part of French wine tradition, kept alive by a small number of Bordeaux estates.
Links
- Part of
- 🍷 Rosé
- Where it is made
- 🗺️ French wine
- Similar and different
- 🍷 Claret, 📍 Bordeaux
Frequently asked questions
How is clairet different from rosé?
Clairet stays on the skins longer, about one to two days. So it is darker, fuller and closer to a light red.
Are clairet and claret the same thing?
No. Clairet is a pale Bordeaux style, while claret is the English name for red Bordeaux in general. But the word claret comes from clairet.
How should clairet be served?
Young and lightly chilled, with simple summer food.
Similar
🍷 Saignée rosé · 🍷 Blended rosé · 🍷 Vin gris · 🍷 Blush wine · 🍷 Chiaretto · 🍷 Cerasuolo
⚠️ Wine contains alcohol: adults only, drink in moderation. Wine usually contains sulphites; egg white or milk proteins are sometimes used for fining — important for allergies and for vegans.
Sources
- Wikipedia (en)
- OIV, International Code of Oenological Practices
- Encyclopaedia Britannica: Wine
- Bordeaux Wine Council (CIVB)