What is pétillant naturel (pét-nat)?

Pétillant naturel, often abbreviated to pét-nat, is a natural sparkling wine made in a simple and old-fashioned way. Pétillant naturel is the oldest method of making sparkling wine, older than champagne. The wine ferments just once, partly in the bottle, without any additions. The result is a lively, often slightly cloudy sparkling wine with real character.

Within the world of natural wine, pét-nat has been popular for years, precisely because of its playful and unpolished character.

Pronunciation: pay-tee-yahn na-tuu-rel, which is why everyone just calls it pét-nat. ;-)

But what exactly is pétillant naturel?

How is pét-nat made?

Pét-nat is made according to the méthode ancestrale.

That means:

• the wine begins to ferment

• during the first fermentation the wine is bottled

• the fermentation continues in the bottle

• the carbon dioxide forms naturally

There is:

• no secondary fermentation

• usually no dosage

• often no filtration

The result is a sparkling wine that is lively, fresh, and sometimes slightly cloudy.

What do you taste in pétillant naturel?

Pét-nat is rarely tight or technical.
The style is often:

• fresh and thirst-quenching

• lightly sparkling

• fruity or spicy

• sometimes a bit wild

Flavors you might encounter:

• apple

• pear

• citrus

• flowers

• sometimes a slight yeast note

Every pét-nat is different and that is exactly the charm.

Is pét-nat the same as prosecco or champagne?

No.

The difference is mainly in the method of making:

• Champagne → second fermentation in bottle, tight and controlled

• Prosecco → fermentation in tank

• Pét-nat → one fermentation, stopped and finished in the bottle

Pét-nat is therefore usually:

• less tight

• less alcoholic

• more playful

• less predictable

Is pét-nat always cloudy?

Often yes, but not always.

Some pét-nats are:

• disgorged

• or filtered

Others deliberately remain unfiltered, with yeast in the bottle.
That's part of the style.

What do you drink pét-nat with?

Pét-nat is versatile and approachable.

Delicious with, among others,

• aperitif

• oysters and shellfish

• light dishes

• sushi

Because of the fresh acids and light bubbles, pét-nat works surprisingly well with food.

Why does pét-nat go so well with natural wine?

Pét-nat fits perfectly with natural wine:

• minimal intervention

• spontaneous fermentation

• focus on grape and place

It is wine without fuss, meant to be drunk, not analyzed.

Frequently asked questions about pét-nat

How should you store pét-nat? Cool and upright, just like other sparkling wines. Drink within 1-2 years of harvest, pét-nat is made to be enjoyed young.

Is pét-nat vegan? Yes. In the natural wine world, wines are not fined or filtered using animal products.

Why is pét-nat sometimes cloudy? Because the yeast stays in the bottle. This is not a flaw, it is a deliberate choice and part of the style.

What does disgorgement mean? The removal of the yeast sediment from the bottle. Some pét-nats are disgorged for a clearer wine, others are left as they are.

Discover pét-nat

In our assortment you will find different styles of pétillant naturel:

• tight and fresh

• fruity and playful

• sometimes a bit stubborn

Whichever you choose, you're sure to have a lively evening ahead!


Also read: What is orange wine? and our wine pairing advice