Clairette wine variety

Clairette is an ancient white wine variety from the Midi region of Southern France. It is a versatile variety that can be used to make sweet, dry and sparkling wines.  It is commonly used in blends with other white varieties, and occasionally small amounts are used to freshen up red blends.

Despite this versatility plantings of Clairette are in decline.

Clairette in Australia

This variety has never been a major player in Australia. For many years Honeytree Estate in the Hunter region has had a cult following for their varietal Clairette.  It used elsewhere as varietal and also as a blending component.

• Aphelion McLaren Vale
• Coriole McLaren Vale
• Dune McLaren Vale
• Henschke Eden Valley
• Honeytree Estate Hunter Valley
• jb Wines Barossa Valley
• Langmeil Barossa Valley
• Mount Mary Yarra Valley
• Rusden Wines Barossa Valley
• Yangarra Estate McLaren Vale

 Clairette Show winners

Clairette is only a minor variety and Australia and varietal Clairette wines are rarely seen in shows.  However two wines including this variety had some success in 2025.

At the 2025 Barossa Wine Show in Class 05: Dry White Wine - Single variety or blend permitted in the Rhone (any vintage) Langmeil Winery won a silver medal for their Langmeil Barossa 2024 Three Gardens Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne, Clairette

At the McLaren Vale Wine Show 2025 Coriole won a bronze medal for Coriole 2024 Sandalwood Grenache Gris Piquepoul Blanc Clairette

This variety is one of the 190 grown in Australia. They are featured in the new book Beyond Shiraz. 

Details Here

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