What is Pet Nat?
Have you met sparkling wine's wild and untamed cousin? Let us introduce you to Pet Nat.
What is Pet Nat?
Pet Nat, short for Pétillant Naturel, is a charmingly rebellious member of the sparkling wine family. Pet Nat, unlike its more refined relatives, is naturally effervescent. Although Pet Nat is thought of as trendy (we’ve even heard it referred to as 'hipster bubbles'), it is made in the French method "PETillant-NATurel" - the oldest way of creating fizz.
How is Pet Nat Made?
Pet Nats get their sparkle from a single, wild fermentation. This means the wine is bottled before the fermentation is complete, allowing carbon dioxide (CO2) to form naturally, trapping the bubbles in the bottle. It's like catching grape juice in the act of turning it into wine. Pet Nats are bottled with zero sulphur or additives. This process requires minimal intervention, and, like most natural wines, it typically ranges from 10-12% ABV. And thanks to the natural yeast, pet nats produce unique funky aromas and characteristics.
How to Open Pet Nat?
Pet Nat has a naughty side and on occasion if not tamed before serving - can result in a geyser-like explosion (we're talking 5-6 atmospheres of pressure here). First and foremost, mega-chill the bottle before serving. Choose a wine cooler or refrigerator over an ice bucket. Pry the crown cap slightly and let the pressure fizzle out before fully opening the bottle. Pet Nat is rowdy when it makes its way out of the bottle, so keep your glasses nearby for an exhilarating pour.
How to Store Pet Nat?
Think of it like a delicate unicorn – it doesn't like extremes. Keep it away from temperature fluctuations and direct sunlight. Store it somewhere cool and keep the bottle upright so the sediment settles to the bottom.
Why are restaurants embracing Pet Nat?
Sommeliers are adding these naturally sparkling wonders to their wine lists, and winning adventurous wine drinkers' hearts. Customers love the playful and surprising flavours of pet nat as well as its versatility. You can pair pet nat with a wide range of dishes, from fancy to funky to classic fare.
Pet Nats are also particularly popular with natural wine lovers and those searching for a lower-alcohol sparkling with less residual sugar.
The Wild Menagerie of Pet Nat:
Pet Nat comes in all shapes and sizes. Here are a few from Wild Wines to get you started:
Viña Echeverría Pet Nat Miao Rosé, Curico Valley, Chile. 98% Chardonnay, 2% Cabernet Franc. A beautiful burnt orange -- easy bubbles with smokey orchard fruit and wild herbs. Total crowd pleaser for those who walk on the wild side.
Weingut Gold, Pink Gold Pet-Nat, Württemberg VDP, Germany. A tart and zippy pet nat made from Trollinger is the gold standard (pun intended) for mouth-wateringly fresh glou glou juice. It bursts with notes of pink grapefruit, underripe strawberries, cherries, and wild rose, and the lengthy finish will surprise you with a big hit of minerality.
Jean Aubron NV, Les Bulles Pet Nat, Loire, France. Jean's first pet nat, made from old-vine Melon de Bourgogne grapes grown on gabbro soils. The wine is gently sparkling, with refreshingly bright notes of soft lemon and crisp minerals. Fun in a bottle.
