Some of the house claret is dry (3)
I believe the answer is:
sec
'is dry' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'some of the house claret' is the wordplay.
'some of' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'SEC' is hidden within 'the house claret'.
(Other definitions for sec that I've seen before include "sort of function" , "Moderately dry, champagne say" , "very short space of time" , "Mo or min?" , "Dry wine perhaps" .)