#2: I Can't Believe It's Grapes!
You know how people wear I HEART NY shirts? Well, I’m going to get one custom made that says I HEART PÉT NAT. Because, well, I heart Pét Nat and it’s time that this wine gets the attention it deserves.
I did a poll on Instagram at the beginning of the week, where I asked how many people were familiar with Pét Nat wine. It didn’t shock me that 81% of the people who answered my poll had never heard of it. Well my mission this week is to inspire you to try something new.
What is Pét Nat?
Pét Nat is short form for “Pétillant Naturel”, which my French queens know, means “naturally sparkling”. While most sparkling wines undergo tank or barrel fermentation, this special wine ferments in its own bottle. You will see that these bottles are often labeled Méthode Ancestrale. This is the oldest known method for creating fizziness in wine. Pét Nat only undergoes one single fermentation, without the addition of secondary yeasts or sugars. Additionally, the lees (dead yeast) are usually left in the bottle, almost comparable to a kombucha. It is low sugar, low interventionist, biodynamic, and more often than not, organic. It’s expressive, wild, and young (also adjectives I’d use to describe myself).
The Taste Test
It’s harder to find Pét Nat than it is to find a Prosecco or Champagne, but there are phenomenal local wine shops that sell really great bottles. Personally, I’ve had great experiences ordering through Grape Crush Wines.
They’re both locally made in small batches, so they sell out pretty quickly. I tasted them both and created some notes for you guys, and if they sound like something you’d like to try, you can go to Grape Crush’s website or any other *local* wine shop and order them!
Adamo Legacy Pinot Blanc Pét Nat:
This wine has a cloudy appearance, and a bright straw colour with aromas of apple, grapefruit, and pear. On the palate it is light bodied and bubbly, creamy, with lip-smacking acidity. The flavours are delightfully tropical and complex with highlights of grapefruit, lemon/lime, pear, and even hints of honeydew melon. The finish of this Pét Nat is medium-long and very refreshing.
Rating: 8/10
Traynor Vineyards x Grape Crush VQA Pét Nat:
This wine is a blend of Vidal, Pinot Noir, and Gamay Noir. The colour is an incredibly attractive light ruby and cloudy with aromas of strawberry, red cherry, and raspberry. On the palate it is light-bodied and playful with subtle carbonation and medium-high acidity. The fruit punch flavour highlights red berries (raspberry, strawberry) and blossom. The finish of this Pét Nat is medium and incredibly easy drinking.
Rating: 8.5/10
~ Thank you all again for reading this week, I can’t wait to share more wine knowledge with you next Thursday.
Cheers,
Jenna