Claret

Red

(Claret pronunciation: Kleh-ruht or CLAIR-et

)

Claret is a British term that references French red Bordeaux wines made from grapes of that region, primarily: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. The Claret color is often described as a dark purplish red, but prior to the 1700s, Claret referred to paler, light-colored wines, Claret being derived from the Latin word for clear.

The Claret wine that is known today varies in taste and texture depending on the age, base, and region of Bordeaux in which it is made.Claret’s generally feature fruity flavors and fragrances, amongst subtle hints of earthiness. The soft structure of Claret is delightful on the palate, featuring flavors of red fruits, with notes of espresso, and hints of sweet cherries on the finish. A Merlot-based Claret often has a medium-body and smooth tannin structure, while a Cabernet-based Claret has a full-body and big tannin structure. No matter if the Claret is Merlot-based or Cabernet-based, they both pair well with roasted vegetables and hearty mushrooms, such as Portobellos.

Claret wines have been featured in various of our 6 wine club memberships, including our Gold Wine Club and higher-end Platinum Wine Club!