Pet Nat Wine, short for pétillant naturel, has been a topic of discussion among wine enthusiasts recently. Emerging onto the wine scene with significant buzz between 2015 and 2020, pet nat, much like natural wine itself, garnered considerable media attention. Now, it seems pét-nats are transitioning from a niche curiosity to a staple in the everyday wine world. You’re just as likely to find a bottle of pet nat at a large retailer as you are at a boutique shop specializing in obscure natural wines.
Pét-nats are a type of sparkling wine produced using an ancestral method that predates the traditional method employed in Champagne and many other sparkling wines. Unlike Champagne, which undergoes a secondary fermentation in the bottle to create its signature bubbles, pet nat winemakers bottle the wine before the initial fermentation is complete. This results in a naturally fizzy wine, often with a slight sweetness from residual grape sugars, a hazy appearance due to unfiltered yeast particles, and typically sealed with a crown cap rather than a cork.
The essence of pet nat wine is its casual and approachable nature. It’s the laid-back counterpart to more formal sparkling wines. Some pet nats lean towards the wild and funky side, embracing their unfiltered character, while others showcase surprising clarity and precision. This diversity is part of the appeal of pet nat wine.
While this ancient method of making sparkling wine originated in southwestern France in the 16th century, pet nats are now produced globally from a wide array of grape varieties. Winemakers are embracing the freedom and versatility of the pet nat style. Michael Cruse, renowned for his Ultramarine traditional-method sparkling wine from California (a highly sought-after and expensive bottle), is also an avid producer of pet nats. “I love pet nats! When they’re done right, they truly express a vineyard’s character, much like traditional-method sparkling wine,” Cruse explains. “They are one of my absolute favorite ways to create wine.” This sentiment underscores the growing acceptance and appreciation for pet nat wine within the broader wine community.
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To explore the variety within pet nat wine, consider trying some of these examples:
- 2022 Oyster River Winegrowers Morphos Pét-Nat: From Maine, using New York grapes, this pet nat offers nutty, waxy, and lemony notes with a captivating mystery.
- 2022 Cruse Wine Co. Sparkling Rancho Chimiles Valdiguié: Michael Cruse champions the Valdiguié grape in this dry, dark pink pet nat, bursting with orchard fruit and watermelon flavors.
- 2021 Ca’ dei Zago Colli Trevigiani Prosecco Col Fondo: Made in the traditional ‘col fondo’ style of Prosecco with yeast lees left in the bottle, this Italian pet nat is tangy, earthy, and softly sparkling.
- 2021 La Grange Tiphaine Nouveau Nez: From the Loire Valley, this Chenin Blanc pet nat is a golden hue with vibrant bubbles and notes of apples and earth, crafted by natural wine stars Damien and Coralie Delecheneau.
- 2021 Stolpman Vineyards Combe Pét’Nat Trousseau: California’s Stolpman Vineyards expands beyond Syrah with this coral-colored Trousseau pet nat.
- 2022 Max Dexheimer Pétillant Naturel: A German pet nat blend of Silvaner, Gelber Muskateller, Gewürztraminer, Kerner, and Müller-Thurgau, featuring orange aromas and a lightly bitter palate.
- 2022 Movia Pét-Nat: Slovenian winemaker Aleš Kristančič presents a clean, zesty, and earthy pet nat, a more approachable alternative to his previous Puro style.
- 2021 Birichino Pétulant Naturel Malvasia: California Malvasia pet nat showcasing aromatic notes of grapefruit, tangerines, and flowers, with gentle bubbles and echoing flavors.
- 2022 Matthiasson Lightly Sparkling Grape + Peach Wine: While technically not a pet nat, this zippy sparkler from Steve and Jill Matthiasson co-ferments homegrown peaches with Chardonnay.
- 2021 Vína Herzánovi Pét-Nat: A Czech Republic Müller-Thurgau pet nat with jasmine tea aromas and a tangy, refreshing intensity.
- 2020 Soalheiro Espumante Pét-Nat Alvarinho: From a top Portuguese Vinho Verde producer, this Alvarinho pet nat is creamy and pineapple-y, ideal with Portuguese cheese.
- 2021 Unico Zelo Sea Foam: Australian winemakers Brendan and Laura Carter create an easy-drinking Vermentino and Fiano pet nat reminiscent of tart green apples and sea salt.
- 2022 Donkey & Goat Fizzy Izzy Sparkling Grenache Gris: A cloudy and yeasty California Grenache Gris pet nat from a natural wine producer, offering tart red berry and citrus notes with light tannins.
Pet nat wine has indeed moved beyond a fleeting trend. Its increasing availability and the diverse range of styles and flavors demonstrate its staying power. Whether you’re a seasoned wine drinker or new to the world of wine, exploring pet nat wine offers a refreshing and accessible entry point into the exciting realm of sparkling wines. Embrace the slightly wild, always interesting, and increasingly normal world of pet nat.
