Updated February 2021
What is Pet Nat wine?
Though Pét-Nat (orPétillant-Naturel) might be a new term to our readers, this method of wine making actually predates Champagne. Its name, literally meaning “natural sparking”, is getting a new surge of popularity with the movement back to organic and natural wines and thus you’re beginning to see Pét-Nat in wine bars and tasting rooms.
But you’re not sure what makes this different from Champagne? What you should know in case this trend is here to stay? Follow along on our Pet Nat wine guide below.
Pét-Nat vs Champagne
Pétillant-Naturel
Pét-Nat is made by taking wine that’s still fermenting, and placing it in the bottle to finish its business. The bubbles result from yeast and sugars dying off while completing the fermentation process. It’s raw, sexy, and a bit risque in the wine world as the results can vary widely with the finished products. It takes a careful winemaker to control a Pét-Nat into something stable and safe to drink.
Within your bottle of Pét-Nat you also might notice that some bottles are more “hazy” than others. This is a result of the winemakers choice to “disgorge” the sediment or not. We find that most bottles still contain the sediment (which makes it all the more interesting). But if you’re not a fan of sediment in your bottle, we have a tip for you:
Wine Scribes Tip: If you purchase a bottle with sediment that you don’t want to end up in you glass, we recommend freezing the bottle for half an hour, right side up. This should allow you to pour the wine, while the sediment remains in the bottle. Santé mes amis!
Champagne
Champagne on the other hand, takes an already finished wine, adds yeast and sugar, and the result is a wine much more bubbly than pet-nat (think Topo Chico compared to Pellegino). It’s a more labor intensive process, and thus Champagne is a much pricier bottle. However, those that don’t enjoy sediment in their wines might be willing to pay the extra cost for clearer wine, as Champagne is required to be disgorged.
Cremant de Bourgogne also follows these rules, albeit produced due south in the Burgundy region.
What to love about Pét-Nat
- Price. It’s a high quality, lower cost choice for bubbles. We personally are not usually fond of the cheap alternative – Prosecco.
- Its beautiful color. You can put the Aperol Spritz aside for now. Pét-Nat’s bright pinky coral hue is your new perfect summertime porch pounder and will look great in your Instagram story.
- Its low alcohol content, which is generally between 11-12%.
3 Pét-Nats you should try today!
Natural wine bars or wine boutiques will often carry pétillant naturel also known as méthode ancestrale. Similar to Champagne, the bottles might not have vintages (they would instead say “NV”), but are all meant to be drank young – and of course chilled!
- Ci Confonde Pétillant Naturel Rosé 2016 – this really hits the nail on what we consider a pet nat should express – the brilliant fruit shines through, particularly notes of strawberry.
- Albatross Ridge Pétillant Naturel Rose – this is a kiwi, hibiscus, zesty sparkling wine. We’re feeling its gorgeous coral hue! However, interesting to note that this is not a true Pet Nat, as the wines were finished first and then bubbles and sediment added later to give it a Pet Nat vibe. Still delicious and is one of our favorite tasting rooms in Carmel-by-the-sea and Carmel Valley.
- Pétillant Naturel Malvasia Bianca Sparkling – hazy and super complex , with notes of pear honey, green apple, and citrus.
