Claret

Claret, the word used in England to denote French red wines from the Bordeaux district. In France clairet denotes a thin light wine, and this is the idea that claret conveys to nine out of ten English people. Claret was a favourite wine in Scotland during the 17th and 18th centuries, and in England too, but it was superseded by Spanish and Portuguese wines early in the present century, though it is now in favour again.