Bordeaux Clairet is a type of wine that hails from the Bordeaux region of France. Despite its name, it is not a "clair" or light wine, rather, it is a dark, full-bodied rosé, believed to be similar to the original, ancient style of Bordeaux wines before they became the deep red we now know.
Clairet is a much older type of wine than the typical rosé and can be quite tannic. The term 'Clairet' comes from ‘claret,’ a term which the English historically used to refer to the red wines of Bordeaux.
The grapes that are commonly used for Bordeaux Clairet wines are a majority of Merlot, supplemented by Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Petit Verdot.
Bordeaux Clairet wines offer more depth and structure as compared to light and refreshing rosé wines. They typically have notes of red fruit like strawberries, cherries, and raspberries, along with darker fruits like plumes. The enhanced tannic structure means Clairets can be paired with a wider range of dishes than the standard rose, including meats that are usually thought of as red-wine foods.
Like other rosés, Bordeaux Clairet is typically drunk young, ideally within two years of the harvest. In France, it is often associated with the summer season and leisurely outdoor dining.
