What is Pét-Nat Wine and Why Should You Be Drinking It?

If you’re into wine, you’ve probably heard of Pét-Nat (aka Pet Nat). This naturally sparkling wine has been making a fizzy splash in recent years as a fun, unique option. But what is Pet Nat wine, and why is everyone talking about it?

What is Pet Nat?

Pet Nat, short for Pétillant Naturel (French for "naturally sparkling"), has been around for centuries! This ancient winemaking technique, known as méthode ancestrale, predates traditional sparkling wines like Champagne. Unlike other sparkling wines that undergo a secondary fermentation, Pet Nat wines are bottled while still fermenting. The remaining natural grape sugars continue fermenting in the bottle, producing carbon dioxide and resulting in a slightly bubbly, slightly cloudy, and totally delicious wine.

What Makes Pet Nat Different from Other Sparking Wines?

At MAWBY Sparkling Wine, we use two primary methods to create bubbles in the bottle:

• Methodé Champenoise: The wine is bottled and then goes through a second fermentation with the addition of yeast and sugar. It then ages in the bottle for 2-5 years.
• Cuve Close: The wine has its second fermentation in stainless steel tanks and is bottled. These wines are bright and fresh, meant to be enjoyed immediately.

A Pet Nat wine ferments only once, using natural sugars and wild yeast. Long ago, they didn’t have all the fancy equipment we do now to make consistent, perfectly expressive wines. But the end result is an equally enjoyable sparkling wine with soft bubbles and vibrant aromatics.

Eff Nat: MAWBY’s 2024 Pet Nat Wine

For the 2024 harvest, our Pet Nat, named Eff Nat, was made from Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Regent grapes. After pressing, we will send most of the juice to ferment, and freeze a small portion of the fresh juice. Then, when the craziness of harvest has passed, we’ll use the reserved juice to start fermentation in the bottle. No additional sugar will be needed: yeast will consume the natural grape sugars to complete fermentation.

Three reasons you should be drinking Pet Nat wines

You Love Something Surprising and Unique: Each bottle is its own little universe of natural yeast, grape sugars and wine. Making it involves a hands-off approach with very little intervention. Pet Nats can range from crisp and juicy to floral and funky. If you are in an adventurous mood, pour a glass and get ready to be surprised!

Low on Alcohol, High on Enjoyment: Pet Nat wines tend to be lower in alcohol, between 9%-11%, making them perfect for casual sipping.

Food Friendly Fun: At MAWBY, we think all bubbles are food friendly. But Pet Nat is especially fun with salty chips and creamy dips, or crunchy nuts and dried fruit. Its lively effervescence and bold aromas enhance any pairing.

How to Best Enjoy Pet Nat

• Ice, Ice Baby:  Pet Nat is best served well-chilled, or even over ice! Pro tip: speed up the chilling process by wetting a dish towel and wrapping it around the bottle before putting it in the freezer. Just don’t forget about it!
• Keep it Casual with Glassware: Pet Nat isn’t about fancy flutes or rigid rules. It’s a chance to try something new and experience natural fermentation at its finest. Pour it into a simple wine glass, a tumbler, or even a mason jar—whatever feels right. Pet Nat is a laid-back wine that’s meant to be enjoyed without pretension.
• Cloudy = Okay: Because Pet Nat is often unfiltered, meaning some natural sediment remains in the bottle. This is part of the charm! All of that beautiful fermentation happened in the bottle, so the yeast has nowhere to go. Pet Nat is also often sold in clear glass bottles, so part of the fun is seeing what remains. Gently rotate the bottle before serving to mix things up, or pour slowly to let the punt capture any leftover sediment..

The next time you are visiting a tasting room or wine shop and see a Pet Nat, give it a try. It will be something different, and exploring new wine styles is always a good thing!