Pét-Nat, short for pétillant naturel, is like the hipster cousin of the sparkling wine family. Unlike other bubbly wines, Pét-Nat goes through only one fermentation cycle.
Oversimplified Pét-Nat Fermentation Process
The first fermentation cycle turns grapes into wine. And the second fermentation turns wine into sparkling wine.
Pét-Nat doesn’t undergo a second fermentation. Instead, in the middle of the first fermentation, Pét-Nat is like, “That’s good enough.” It is then placed in a bottle and tightly sealed. Because it’s still in the first round of fermenting, it creates CO2, which makes it bubbly.
As someone who is always looking for the most efficient process (that’s my business etiquette way of saying “half-asser”), I appreciate this more lackadaisical winemaking process.
The Too-Cool Kid of Sparkling Wines
Besides its lackadaisical winemaking process, what also makes Pét-Nat cool is the crown cap.
The leather jacket of wine capsules.
Just give it a couple DIY tattoos and a cigarette, and it graduates from hipster to bad boy. Desirable. Plays hard to get. And will break your heart (the literal version of this is you’ll be bummed once the bottle is empty).
But you’ll have no regrets.
On a serious note, this cap is hella practical. The number of times I’ve forgotten a wine opener is numerous. But I always have a friend around who used to be a college bro and has a bottle opener on their keys.
Things that Make Pét-Nat Unique
Because Pét-Nat only goes through a single fermentation, it’s lower in alcohol and there are fewer winemaker “tricks” used to make this wine. So, if you’re into natural wine, this may be a good sparkling option for you.
Just keep in mind this wine is known for being funky: it can have a strong odor, be tart, and it’s cloudy. If you’re new to sparkling wines, you may want to hold off on this style. But, if you like Kombucha, you might be into it.
It’s Not Meant to Age
Because Pét-Nat is actively fermenting in the bottle, it changes quickly. So if you open a bottle on St. Patrick’s Day and then open another bottle a few months later to float down the river, the two bottles will taste different.
This is part of the fun of this sparkling wine because you don’t have to wait long to see how it evolves.
With that said, you want to drink it within two years of its release.
What happens after two years? Well, it’s like a low-stakes game of roulette. It’s a complete gamble if it will be tasty.
Where to Find Pét-Nat
While it’s becoming more popular, this bubbly wine can be difficult to find. If your local stores don’t have any, you can order some from Tank Garage Winery in Calistoga. (Fun Fact: The bottles featured in this post’s photo are from Tank Garage.) They are constantly making new vintages and styles. You really can’t go wrong.
Kitty Rating Score
Because I’m drawn to the bad boys, Pét-Nat has my heart (even if it doesn’t reciprocate my feelings). Plus, it has bubbles, so it gets a 10 out of 10 Kitties.
Wine For Misfits 