What’s with Brits and Their Weird Nicknames?

Claret is an old-fashioned term the Brits used for Bordeaux at least as far back as the 1700s. Today, it refers to a “Bordeaux blend:” deep, velvety reds made most commonly with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot.