Discover pét-nat wines

Pet what? It’s short for pétillant naturel, a French term meaning “naturally sparkling”, referring to an artisanal method of wine making, or méthode ancestrale, that dates to before Champagne was first made.

Described as a wilder version of Champagne (which undergoes a secondary fermentation in the bottle) pet-nat wines are bottled during their first fermentation. This allows the natural sugars in the grapes to produce carbon dioxide – and thousands of tiny bubbles. The results can be unpredictable, adding to the sense of adventure and experimentation around these wines. Unlike the traditional cork, they’re sealed with crown caps, beer-bottle style, and meant to be drunk soon after purchase. Look out for the Mother Rock Force Celeste Cuvée PN made from Pinotage grapes, the Bosman Pet-Nat Chenin Blanc and The Blacksmith Bloodline Pet-Nat.