The New Claret

Claret is a centuries old term for French red Bordeaux used by England. A Bordeaux is a blend that contains some of the following: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. France wants to market a new style of Bordeaux to go with changing tastes in wine.

 

OMG ice cubes in wine!
image from Epicurious

 

Bordeaux has changed with the times before, and is changing again with the hotter summers. The wines have gotten bigger, with less tannin, and higher alcohol. Not everyone favors this style, or price. Fewer people are drinking wine, in general. Often the ones that do, want something light, fruity, and drinkable without years of aging.

Beginning with the 2025 vintage you'll start to see wines labeled as Bordeaux Clarets. These are made as a lighter, less tannic, lower alcohol, and less expensive wine that's ready to drink on release. You could even (gasp) chill them on a hot summer day. This isn't your father's Claret. 

We'll see if this is just what the consumer wants. If it does take off then expect to see California follow suit. Maybe someone will come up with a licensed name for them, like Meritage, which is an American term for Bordeaux blends that you must pay to use. I might jump in to make some easy bucks with Cabernet Chill, EasyRedder, American Claret, CaliClaret, Litedeaux, or Merilite. I'd probably get in trouble for some of those.

 

Source:
The Guardian