Dry as some house claret (3)
I believe the answer is:
sec
'dry' is the definition.
('sec' can be similar in meaning to 'dry')
'some house claret' is the wordplay.
'some' says the answer is hidden in the clue (some of the parts of the word are used).
'SEC' can be found hidden inside 'house claret'.
'as' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for sec that I've seen before include "sparkling?" , "Dry, like wine" , "21 down, as wine" , "(Of wines) dry" , "Religious group." .)