Claret Velvet Coats: A Rich History

A coat of claret velvet is a coat made of velvet in a deep purplish-red colour, similar to that of red Bordeaux wine. In the poem The Highwayman, the narrator describes the clothing of a highwayman, including a coat of the claret velvet, which is said to be a deep red wine colour. Claret is also used to describe the colour of other items, such as carpets, and is often associated with elegance and luxury.

Claret is a type of red wine

The name is believed to be linked to the French term 'clairet', which was used to describe very light red wines, possibly closer to dark rosés, from Bordeaux. In the Middle Ages, the wine from Bordeaux was a dark rosé spiced drink, and over time, the term 'claret' was used to refer to increasingly darker and full-bodied red wines.

Today, the term 'a good drinking claret' is sometimes used to describe a red Bordeaux with a certain sense of 'classicism' that adheres to specific stylistic hints, such as elegance, 'fragrance of bouquet', and 'lift'.

Claret has a long history in Britain, dating back to when Bordeaux fell into England's possession after the marriage of King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine in 1151. This strong trade relationship resulted in the transportation of large quantities of Bordeaux 'claret' into ports across the British Isles.

While the term 'claret' may have become less fashionable in recent years, it continues to hold a place in the vocabulary of wine lovers, especially those with an appreciation for the classicism and history associated with this type of wine.

Claret is a deep purplish-red colour

Claret is a deep, purplish-red colour, also described as a pinkish-red. It is a rich, warm shade of red, with a hint of purple, and is named after a Bordeaux wine of a similar hue. The colour has been a part of the English language since 1547 and is often used to describe clothing, as in "a coat of claret velvet".

The colour is associated with elegance and luxury, and its hex code is #811331, or #680018 according to another source. In the RGB (Red, Green, Blue) colour space, Claret contains 41% red, 0% green, and 9% blue. In the HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) colour space, it has 346° Hue, 100% Saturation, and 20% Lightness. Claret is also said to have a luminance of 3%, which is low, and it contrasts well with white.

When it comes to colour mixing, Claret can be created using eight primary colours (Red, Green, Blue, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, White, and Black) by combining 35% Red, 5% Magenta, and 59% Black. Alternatively, using just five primary colours (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, White, and Black), you can mix 23% Magenta, 18% Yellow, and 59% Black to achieve Claret.

Similar colours to Claret include Maroon, Rosewood, Wine Red, Bordeaux, and Dark Scarlet, all of which fall within the Dark Crimson colour family.

Claret velvet coats are elegant and stylish

The Suki Claret Silk Velvet Coat by Antra Designs is a stunning example of this. The coat combines elegance with style and features contrasting embroidery, making it stand out. It is made from 100% silk velvet and is dry clean only. Claret velvet is also a popular choice for dressmaking projects, as the fabric is soft to the touch and drapes beautifully.

The colour is also associated with luxury and opulence. In literature, claret is often mentioned in reference to wine, but also as a rich, warm colour. For example, in an article in Forbes, Bridget Arsenault writes of "sumptuous colours of claret and terracotta [that] award warmth and comfort". Claret velvet is a unique and elegant choice for a coat, and its luxurious fabric and sophisticated colour make it a stylish option.

The use of claret velvet in fashion can also be traced back to the 18th century, as described in the poem "The Highwayman". The poem, written in 1906, describes a highwayman wearing "a coat of the claret velvet, and breeches of brown doe-skin". This suggests that claret velvet has been associated with elegance and style for centuries.

Claret is made in the Bordeaux region of France

Claret, derived from the Latin word for "clear", is a rather old-fashioned name given to red wines from Bordeaux, France, by British wine lovers, dating back to the 1700s. The term has since become a more generic way to refer to "Bordeaux reds" or just red wines. Bordeaux wine is produced in the Bordeaux region of southwest France, around the city of Bordeaux, on the Garonne River. The Gironde department, with a total vineyard area of 110,800 hectares, is the second-largest wine-growing area in France.

The vast majority of wine produced in Bordeaux is red, with sweet white wines, dry whites, rosé, and sparkling wines (Crémant de Bordeaux) making up the remainder. Bordeaux wine is made by more than 5,660 producers or châteaux, and there are 65 appellations of Bordeaux wine. The major reason for the success of winemaking in the Bordeaux region is the excellent environment for growing vines. The geological foundation of the region is limestone, leading to a soil structure that is heavy in calcium. The Gironde estuary, along with its tributaries, the Garonne and the Dordogne rivers, irrigate the land and provide an Atlantic climate for the region.

Red Bordeaux is generally made from a blend of grapes, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Carménère. White Bordeaux is predominantly, and exclusively in the case of sweet Sauternes, made from Sémillon, Sauvignon blanc, and Muscadelle.

Claret is a protected name within the European Union, describing a red Bordeaux wine, accepted after the British wine trade demonstrated over 300 years of usage of the term. The meaning of "claret" has evolved and now refers to a dry, dark-red Bordeaux. It has remained a term associated with the English upper class and, consequently, appears on bottles of generic red Bordeaux to raise their status in the market.

Claret is Latin for clear and pale-coloured

Claret, a term derived from Latin, is synonymous with fine red Bordeaux. The word comes from the Latin "clārus", which means "clear" and "pale-coloured". Indeed, in the 14th and 15th centuries, wines from Bordeaux were much lighter and paler in colour, almost like rosés. The term "claret" was first used in the 1700s by the British trade to refer to these wines, although at the time, France and England were at war. As a result, the English also began to seek out Portuguese wines.

Today, "claret" is used as a generic term for Bordeaux wines or wines styled after them. It also describes the associated dark red colour, which can be used to describe anything from nail polish to yarn. The term is sometimes used as a proprietary name on New World wines based on red Bordeaux grapes. For example, a Texas Claret is a classic Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot.

In the official documents for the Bordeaux AOC, the term "claret" is mentioned as being reserved for red wines. The official name of the wine is some variation of "Bordeaux AOC" or one of the other AOCs used for red Bordeaux. The term "claret" is listed as a descriptive term.

In the late Middle Ages, "claret" also referred to a heated wine poured over a bag of spices. This drink was likely similar to the modern mulled wine, which is often heated with spices and served warm.

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