Bordeaux is facing a significant challenge with its cheaper red wines. The market for AOP Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur has declined by 50% over the last five years due to changing consumer preferences, tariffs, and climate change. As a result, many producers are uprooting their vineyards.
In a strategic response, the Bordeaux region has reintroduced the term "Claret" to define a new category of Bordeaux reds. This innovative move aims to create lighter, fruitier, and more approachable wines that can be enjoyed chilled, targeting modern consumer tastes. Notably, the term "Claret" has historical ties to the British trade, which used it to describe lighter Bordeaux reds, though this term has not been consistently used in recent years.
These new Claret wines are designed with lower tannins, reduced alcohol levels, and a permissible amount of residual sugar (up to 7 g/l). This sugar does not necessarily make the wines sweet but rather enhances the mouthfeel, softening the tannins. The Claret category was officially introduced with the 2025 vintage, which saw about 16,500 hectoliters produced by 40 producers—equivalent to around 2.2 million bottles.
Requirements for these wines include a tannin limit of 209-55 IPT (Total Polyphenol Index), no oak aging, and a light color ranging from 3 to 15 ICM (Modified Color Intensity), with serving recommendations suggesting they be chilled.
Three wines from this category have made a positive impression.
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Sainte Barbe 2025 Bordeaux Claret: With 13.5% alcohol, this wine offers a fresh, juicy profile with ripe strawberry and sweet cherry notes, low tannins, and a deliciously rounded palate. (Rating: 89/100)
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Papa & Tonton 2025 Bordeaux Claret: At 12.5% alcohol, this wine showcases juicy red cherry and strawberry fruit, minerality, and a hint of sweetness on the finish, presenting great drinkability and a touch of seriousness. (Rating: 91/100)
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Esprit Léger 2025 Bordeaux Claret: With 12.5% alcohol, it features fresh cherry and raspberry fruit with an interesting balance of sweet and sour elements, reflecting the new style’s appeal. (Rating: 90/100)
This shift in Bordeaux’s approach has the potential to revitalize interest in the region’s wines, making them relevant and appealing in today’s market.