WHAT IS PÉT-NAT? A BEGINNERS GUIDE

Pét-nat is one of those wine terms that sounds more complicated than it is. Say it like 'pet-nat' — short for pétillant naturel, which is French for 'naturally sparkling'. Once you know that, the whole thing makes sense.

It is one of the oldest and most natural methods of making sparkling wine. It is also one of the most exciting styles in the wine world right now — and once you have tried a good one, you will understand why.

HOW IS PÉT-NAT MADE?

The traditional method for most sparkling wines — including Champagne — involves fermenting the wine once in a tank or barrel, then adding yeast and sugar a second time in the bottle to create bubbles. This is called the méthode champenoise or traditional method.

Pét-nat skips the second fermentation entirely. The wine is bottled while the first fermentation is still happening — while the yeast is still actively converting the grape sugars into alcohol. As fermentation completes inside the bottle, the CO2 has nowhere to go. It dissolves into the wine, creating natural bubbles.

This is called the ancestral method because it predates Champagne by centuries. It is the original way of making sparkling wine.

WHAT DOES PÉT-NAT TASTE LIKE?

Pét-nat tends to be lighter and more expressive than Champagne or prosecco. Because it is less manipulated, more of the grape's natural character comes through — you get the fruit, the personality, the terroir.

It is often slightly cloudy, which is normal and nothing to worry about — it just means the wine has not been filtered. Some people prefer to keep the bottle upright for a day before opening to let any sediment settle.

PROST!, Loco Wines' pét-nat, is made from Grüner Veltliner and Zweigelt by the Hoch family in Kremstal, Austria. Expect lemon sherbet, Granny Smith apple and grapefruit — lively, fresh and full of character. Champagne energy without the pretension.

IS PÉT-NAT THE SAME AS PROSECCO?

No — they are quite different. Prosecco uses the Charmat method, where the second fermentation happens in large tanks rather than individual bottles. It is industrially efficient and produces consistent, clean bubbles.

Pét-nat is the opposite of industrial. Each bottle is an individual expression of a single fermentation. It has more character, more personality, and more variation — which is part of the appeal.

WHY IS PÉT-NAT HAVING A MOMENT?

A generation of wine drinkers has grown up wanting more from their glass. They want to know where their food comes from, they want sustainability, and they want authenticity. Pét-nat delivers all three.

It is also genuinely fun — the slight unpredictability, the natural bubbles, the approachable price point. It is celebratory without being formal. It is the sparkling wine that does not take itself too seriously.

HOW DO I SERVE PÉT-NAT?

Serve it cold — around 8-10°C. Open it carefully as pét-nats can be lively, especially if they have been shaken in transit. Pour it into a wine glass rather than a flute to let the aromas open up.

It is brilliant as an aperitif, wonderful with lighter foods like salads, seafood, and charcuterie, and perfect for any occasion that deserves bubbles without the formality.

Try PROST! from Loco Wines — our certified organic, biodynamic pét-nat from Austria. Shop at locowines.co.uk.