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if you love wine, then you've heard these two ringing, tickling words -. Pét. Nat.
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The sound is fun, catchy and easy to remember. Like the wine itself.
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Hardly any other wine resonates so much with the mood of a summer evening (or morning)...
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What is Pét-Nat?
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But what exactly does Pét-Nat mean?
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Pét-Nat is the abbreviation for Pétillant Naturellewhich means "naturally sparkling". Although the method is quite old (we'll get to that), the name that has contributed to the style's new success was invented by winemakers Thierry Puzelat and Christian Chaussard in the 1990s. The two ran up and down the Loire Valley calling their sparkling wines made using this old method "Pét-Nat". From then on, this appellation became known worldwide.
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Other terms found on some labels are "méthode ancestral", "rurale" or the Italian "col fondo".
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Many different names for a process originally used in Limoux in the early 16th century by wine-skilled monks.
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Basically, a Pét-Nat is a wine that is bottled before the end of the first fermentation. In this way, thanks to the natural sugars in the grapes, fermentation continues in the bottle, while the carbon dioxide produced by this process remains trapped in the wine, making it... sparkling!
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This is the opposite of the Champagne method, where the already fermented wine is bottled by adding yeast and sugar to initiate a second fermentation.
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Another major difference is that Pét-Nat wines are Not disgorged and often also unfiltered and unsulphured bottled. They are then more or less cloudy and usually sealed with a crown cork.
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How did this old style become so popular, starting from Hipster wine bars up to Michelin restaurants?
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Certainly, the fact that he has become one of the figureheads of the Natural wine movement has contributed a lot to this.
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If one looks more closely, one possible answer lies in the pleasant, carefree feelingthat the wine conveys. The discreet bubbles, the low alcohol content and the rough, living feeling of this wine are tailor-made for the tastes of a new generation of wine lovers.
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If you simply want a Evening with friends want to enjoy without spending hours on tasting notes, if you want to drink something fresh without being drunk by the second glass, but still feel that tingling sensation... then a Pét-Nat is just the thing for you.
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On the other hand, we must not forget the great variety of wines that can fall under this style. White wines, orange wines, rosé wines, red wines... if you want to get down to it, there are endless possibilities for a good pairing with food. No wonder, then, that this age-old method can be found on many restaurant wine lists.
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Tasting
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I have a few examples from our range of currently more than 20 Pét-Nats selected to show the broad spectrum that the genus Pét-Nat can cover:
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A splendid Pét-Nat-Rosé from Portugal, which plays with aromas of small berry fruits. The blend of Juiciness and Minerality makes this wine a perfect example of drinkability and fun-loving side the Pét Nat world!
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Well, yes, Lambrusco made the good old fashioned way is a Pét-Nat. At the Cinque Campi winery, they follow the traditional method. You can find all the expressions of rural Italy in this wine. Dry, juicy and honestly friendly Pét-Nat in red.
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This Pétillant Naturel is based on Blaufränkisch with a touch of St. Laurent. Blackberry and raspberry are in first place. Red currant, cassis and elderberry vie for third place. Sweet cherry, but also red apple and lemon come in complementary. A fine, grassy tone is reminiscent of morning dew. Lemon balm and thyme give it a fresh herbal kick.
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The nose alternates between subtle fruit and exquisite herbal infusion. Apple and pear peel mingle with hay flowers and camomile and quickly make the saliva shoot in: Super hedonistic with natural appeal! Animatingly clear PetNat with the right amount of funk.
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