Possible Clues:

• Bloodless victory followed by English hock?
• Drink (lacking red initially) wherein wit flows?
• Liquid in some risotto recipes
• Chardonnay, e.g
• Not a horse's hock
• Never a ruddy drink of 6 across
• Riesling, for one
• Clare before tea? Never
• July 4th beverage, perhaps
• It's served at some dinners