Bordeaux’s wine industry has formally validated a new category of claret, marking a strategic shift towards lighter, fruitier reds in response to climate change and evolving consumer tastes. The designation, approved for the 2025 vintage, links the historic term to the existing Bordeaux appellation but differentiates the wine from traditional full-bodied clarets with lower alcohol and tannin levels.
The move comes as rising temperatures have increased grape ripeness and alcohol levels, with 15% ABV now common. Stéphanie Sinoquet, managing director of the Bordeaux growers’ association, described warmer conditions as a “positive challenge”, allowing producers to adopt heat-resistant grape varieties and shorter macerations. Jean-Raymond Clarenc of Grands Chais de France called the classification a “strategic response”, enabling lighter profiles that value freshness over power.
Changing drinking habits also drove the decision. Red wine consumption is falling in France and Britain, with drinkers seeking chillable reds served at 8-12°C. Sinoquet noted that fresher styles are “more relaxed and inclusive”, while Tony Laithwaite of Laithwaites cited collapsing demand in China and a swing towards white wine, adding that Bordeaux’s “posh and pricey image just doesn’t fit any more”.
Sommelier Jonathan Kleeman said the new category harks back to an older style, before Bordeaux became known for powerful, age-worthy reds. He suggested it might appeal to millennials who prefer wines ready to drink over expensive collectibles. Tom Claxton, another sommelier, predicted the wines would be “more playful or fun”, akin to Burgundy pinot noir but lighter-bodied.
While classic Bordeaux reds will continue to be produced, the claret designation aims to broaden the region’s appeal. Producers hope the move, which revives an old English term, will attract younger drinkers and adapt to a warming climate without alienating traditionalists.
