What is Claret Wine & Is It the Same as Bordeaux Blends? (Best Bottles 2024)

The name Claret comes from the French term ‘clairet,’ used in 14th century England to describe a rose wine from Bordeaux. 

By 1700, as the wines from the Bordeaux region became increasingly popular, Claret became the informal umbrella term in Britain for all red Bordeaux style wines.    

In this article, you’ll find answers to all your questions on Clarets, how it’s different from Bordeaux wine, the best Claret bottles to buy in 2024, and their investment potential.

Quick Facts on Claret Wine

The term Claret is still popular among British wine lovers. Here’s everything you need to know about these wines.

How is Claret Different from Bordeaux Wine?

There’s only a small difference. While Bordeaux wine refers to all the wines (red, rose, and white wine) produced in the Bordeaux wine region, Claret is the British nickname for red Bordeaux wine.

How is Claret Wine Labeled?

Although Claret is an unofficial name, the wine label is protected under EU law and has been recognized as a ‘traditional wine term’ by the UK government. (But, a 2006 US-EU Wine agreement forbids any US winemaker from using the term ‘Claret’ on their labels.)

What Grape Varieties Are Used in Claret Wine?

The major red grape varieties used in Claret wines are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Carmenere.

How to Serve Claret Wine?

Serve Claret wines at 16-18 degrees Celsius after decanting for 15 to 20 minutes.

What are the best food pairings with Claret Wine? 

Claret wines pair well withbeef, veal, pork, roasted chicken, game, mushrooms, pasta, and fish courses.

How is Claret Different from Clairet?

Clairet is a style of rose wine from France that is still produced in small quantities, whereas Claret is the generic name applicable to all red wines from Bordeaux.

10 Exceptional Claret Wines to Buy in 2024 (Including Tasting Notes, Prices)

Here are our favorite Claret Wine labels:

• 2015 Chateau Margaux ($2,424)
• 2002 Harlan Estate ($1,544)
• 1979 Opus One ($1,305)
• 2017 Realm Cellars The Absurd Proprietary Red ($1,090)
• 2015 Chateau Ausone ($1,028)
• 1991 Joseph Phelps Vineyards Insignia ($553)
• 2013 Dominus Estate Christian Moueix ($499)
• 2014 Verite La Joie ($426)
• 2019 Duckhorn Vineyards The Discussion Red ($157)
• 1996 Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Claret ($65)

1. 2015 Chateau Margaux ($2,424)

This is a dark red Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant wine with a cherry blossom and lilac aroma underscored by dark fruit notes and smooth tannins.

2. 2002 Harlan Estate ($1,544)

The exquisite 2002 vintage from the Harlan Estate winery presents an aromatic nose of dark berries and French oak with intense chocolate and blackberry notes.

3. 1979 Opus One ($1,305)

Here we have a robust Claret wine suffused with pine, menthol, and herb aromas. The delightful palate has smooth tannins and plum, cherry, and licorice flavor notes.

4. 2017 Realm Cellars The Absurd Proprietary Red ($1,090)

This is a full-bodied French red wine characterized by exceptional depth and a subtle vanilla aroma. The flavor profile consists of rich espresso, dark fruit, and spice notes with a silky tannin mouthfeel.

5. 2015 Chateau Ausone ($1,028)

Here’s a refined ruby red wine offering an intense floral bouquet with cherry, black plums, and licorice flavors. It boasts of firm tannin levels and balanced acidity.

6. 1991 Joseph Phelps Vineyards Insignia ($553)

Here we have a beautiful wine from Joseph Phelps’ Napa Valley and Sonoma County vineyards. This great wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc and has an intense dark fruit palate. 

7. 2013 Dominus Estate Christian Moueix ($499)

This beautiful red Bordeaux wine opens with remarkable blueberry, juniper, and boysenberry aromas and offers delicious dark fruit, vanilla, and cherry flavors.

8. 2014 Verite La Joie ($426)

Here we have a complex Cabernet Sauvignon blend that presents a bouquet of black truffle, cassis, and currant aromas balanced by blackberry, plum, and baking spice notes.

9. 2019 Duckhorn Vineyards The Discussion Red ($157)

The full-bodied Duckhorn vineyard wine has an aromatic nose of blueberry, fig, and cinnamon. This fine wine offers silky tannins and an intense palate with hints of dark fruit, pomegranate, and raspberry. 

10. 1996 Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Claret ($65)

Here's Francis Ford Coppola’s great wine infused with oaky and smoky aromas underscored by exquisite strawberry, cranberry, and dark fruit flavors.

Investing in Claret Wine

If you are looking to invest in a fine wine like Claret, you should do it through a trusted wine investment company like Vinovest. They help you invest in great wines with just a few clicks on their website!

Now, the finest Claret wines present great investment opportunities. 

For example, Bordeaux style reds from Margaux, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Pessac-Leognan, St Emilion, and Pomerol and some exceptional new world wines have limited supply and escalating demand. 

(Read more about them in our detailed guide to Bordeaux wine.)

Invest in a Claret Wine: The Enigma of Bordeaux 

Claret wines are beautiful Bordeaux reds that can be enjoyed with friends and family or stored as a long-term investment. 

If you wish to invest in some beautiful Claret wines, check out the Vinovest website and explore a simple way to buy, store, and sell authentic fine wines from around the world.