Climate change forces bordeaux wine industry to revive 12th century claret style

France’s prestigious Bordeaux wine region is officially embracing a centuries-old wine style as climate change transforms traditional winemaking practices. The region is set to grant formal recognition to claret, a lighter-bodied red wine that dates back to the 12th century, marking a significant shift away from the powerful, full-bodied reds that have defined modern Bordeaux.

This strategic pivot reflects multiple climate-related pressures reshaping the wine industry. Rising temperatures in southwestern France are making it increasingly difficult to produce the heavy, oak-aged wines that brought Bordeaux international acclaim in recent decades. The hotter growing conditions are pushing winemakers to adapt their techniques and grape varieties to maintain quality and market appeal.

The revival of claret also responds to changing consumer preferences driven by climate awareness. As global temperatures rise, wine drinkers are increasingly gravitating toward lighter, more refreshing “chillable reds” that better suit warmer weather patterns. This shift represents both an environmental adaptation and a market strategy, as Bordeaux faces declining consumption of traditional heavy reds.

Historically, Bordeaux has demonstrated remarkable flexibility in responding to market demands, transitioning from white wine production in the 1970s to the robust reds that dominated the 2000s. The return to claret—originally shipped to Britain and long considered synonymous with Bordeaux red wine—represents another chapter in this evolutionary story. However, this latest transformation is unique in being driven primarily by environmental necessity rather than consumer whim, highlighting how climate change is fundamentally reshaping even centuries-old agricultural traditions.