Claret. It’s one of those old-school words that your grandad might drop into conversation while swirling a glass of red and talking about “a good vintage”
Technically, it just means red wine from Bordeaux, but no one really uses the term anymore, except when you stumble across a bottle like this that makes you think, hang on, maybe Claret’s due a comeback. Which is exactly what happened when we tried Cafe François’ own-label claret… light on its feet, super smooth, good chilled and way too easy to drink.
We spoke to Kieran Andrews, Restaurant Manager & Head of Wine at Café François, to fill us in on all things claret and clairet. As he explains, historically both terms were used to refer to the same style of wine but “Clairet is now a specific, regulated style of dark rosé from Bordeaux, typically macerated for 24 to 48 hours. It’s deeper and more structured than a typical rosé. Claret, on the other hand, is a term primarily used in the UK – especially among older generations – to refer to red Bordeaux wines. Historically, when Bordeaux was first exported to England, it was lighter and paler than the bold reds we see today, closer in style to modern Clairet.”
Unlike Clairette, a white grape grown in Provence and the Rhône, Clairet is not a varietal but a style of wine, made with classic Bordeaux grapes. Cafe François’ own-label Clairet is “a blend of Merlot, Malbec, and Cabernet Sauvignon, bringing together softness, spice, and freshness in one glass.” The restaurant chose this because they wanted their own-label wine “to embody café culture – something elegant, refreshing, and unmistakably French. Clairet felt perfect. It evokes the image of sitting on a sunny terrace, watching the world go by with a chilled glass in hand. It’s stylish, authentic, and timeless, just like the experience we aim to offer at Café François.”
Wanna give it a try? Here are five bottles of Clairet that Kieran recommends for drinking at home.
Château Thieuley Clairet
A Merlot-led blend with a splash of Cabernet Sauvignon. Creamy texture with a burst of fresh red berries. Great with roast chicken or grilled vegetables.
Château Penin Nature Clairet
Richer and darker in colour, this Merlot-dominant wine has bold red fruit with subtle dark cherry notes. Pairs well with charcuterie or lamb kofta.
Château de Parenchère Clairet
100% Merlot. Fruity, vibrant, and gastronomic. Brilliant with spicy dishes or a summer BBQ.
Château Turcaud Clairet
With Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc, this one has a bit more spice and a lovely herbal freshness. Great with tomato-based dishes or goat cheese.
Château Moulin de Peyronin Clairet
Our own-label Clairet, and for good reason: it’s lively, thirst-quenching, and full of red fruit with a hint of blackcurrant. Perfect for sunny days or as an aperitif.
