AOC Bordeaux Clairet

Bordeaux Clairet shows a bright, intense color with raspberry glints, along with aromas of ripe, fleshy fruit. On the palate, it is fuller and more vinous than paler rosés, and its finish lasts longer, which lets it hold its own at the table as well as with the aperitif.

Rosé, Clairet, Claret: Color by the Numbers

Under AOC Bordeaux, what separates a rosé, a clairet and a claret comes down to one figure: color intensity, known in French as ICM. Using a method set out by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), a lab measures the light the wine absorbs at three wavelengths, 420, 520 and 620 nanometers, then adds up the three readings.

The deeper the color, the higher the total. A Bordeaux rosé tops out at 1.1. A clairet falls between 1.1 and 3, the range for deep-colored rosés. Above 3 and up to 15, the wine comes under the “claret” designation, the one for light reds.

The appellation checks these limits on the wine before bottling and again once it is bottled. On the label, the Bordeaux name may then be followed by the word “clairet.” For wine lovers, that word signals a rosé of deep color, confirmed by lab analysis, meant to be enjoyed young.

History of the AOC Bordeaux Clairet appellation

The AOC Bordeaux Clairet holds a special place in France's winemaking history. Indeed, the name "Clairet" recalls the "clear" or "pale" wines that were once exported to England during the Middle Ages. These wines, ancestors of today's reds, were so popular that they gave their name to what we now call "claret" in English, synonymous with Bordeaux wines. Thanks to a longer maceration than for a typical rosé wine, it extracts more color, structure, and pronounced aromas.

Climate and terroir of the AOC Bordeaux Clairet appellation

• Climate: Enjoying a temperate oceanic climate, the AOC Bordeaux Clairet benefits from warm summers and mild winters, ensuring optimal grape ripening.
• Soils: The appellation extends over diverse soils, from gravel to clay and limestone, offering an ideal base to produce these rosé wines that are both fresh and structured.

The essential grape varieties of the AOC Bordeaux Clairet appellation

Clairet is a dark rosé wine made from the main red grape varieties of Bordeaux, such as Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. As with the rest of the Bordeaux regional appellation, other auxiliary red grape varieties such as Malbec, Carmenere, or Petit Verdot are also allowed.

Style of AOC Bordeaux Clairet wines

• Appearance: Intense pink color, flirting with raspberry or salmon hues.
• Nose: Clairet offers a generous bouquet of fresh red fruits (strawberry, raspberry, blackcurrant), flowers, and grenadine.
• Palate: Midway between a rosé wine and a light red wine, Clairet seduces with its freshness, vivacity, and persistent fruity notes. The tannins are light and supple, providing a nice texture on the palate.

Serving temperature: 10° to 12°C

Aging potential: Best consumed young, within 1 to 2 years to enjoy its characteristic freshness.

The best food and wine pairings with AOC Bordeaux Clairet

Clairet is remarkably versatile at the table, suitable for a variety of summer dishes. Here are our recommendations for the best food and wine pairings with a rosé wine from an estate or château in the AOC Bordeaux Clairet:

• Appetizers: Aperitif, summer salads, charcuterie, antipasti.
• Main courses: Grilled dishes, chicken skewers, stuffed tomatoes.
• Desserts: Citrus sorbets and fruit salad.

Bordeaux Clairet: Your Questions

Can Bordeaux Clairet include white grapes?

Bordeaux Clairet is made only from dark-skinned grapes, such as Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot or Cabernet Sauvignon. Bordeaux rosé, by contrast, may include some white grapes: Sémillon, Sauvignon Gris or Sauvignon Blanc.

Are clairet and claret the same wine?

Clairet and claret are two separate designations of AOC Bordeaux: clairet is a deep-colored rosé, claret a light red. A claret must show its designation on the label, and since May 2026 it may be sweetened with grape must, a practice limited to that designation.

Where can Bordeaux Clairet be made?

The grapes for Bordeaux Clairet are harvested within the AOC Bordeaux area, which spans 494 of the Gironde’s 535 villages. The wine may also be made and aged, by special exemption, in 23 neighboring villages of the Dordogne and Lot-et-Garonne departments.

Where can you buy Bordeaux Clairet direct from the winemaker?

You can buy Bordeaux Clairet, sold by the producer, on Avenue des Vins. Your order ships straight from the producer, with no middleman.

See also: AOC Bordeaux Rosé - AOC Bordeaux - Rosé Wines