What are Pét Nats wines, why are they so expensive and are they worth it?

Pét Nats, or Pétillant Naturel wines have been popular in recent years among younger wine drinkers but have history going back centuries. The original ancestral style wines refer to freshly made wines that refermented over the winter months leaving a cloudy wine with a light fizz, yeasty fermentation aromas and some different flavours. Prosecco col fondo and frizzante Lambrusco from Italy as well as the méthode ancestral wines of Limoux in southwest France all fall into this category. These days pét nat has gone mainstream and many have been disgorged or clarified. Some seem little more than a spritzer, white wine with added carbon dioxide.

I like pét nats but I find some of them a little expensive. It is meant to be a joyous, fun, thirst-quenching summery drink. It may be justified if made by small artisan producers, but many are not. For €40-€50 you can buy some very good traditional method sparkling wines from Spain, France and elsewhere, plus some decent Champagnes.

The Drink Me Nat’Cool is not exactly a pét nat. It is the brainchild of Dirk Niepoort who wanted to create a wine that was light in alcohol, juicy and fresh. Bottled with a little residual sugar, it referments and is slightly fizzy. It is available exclusively in one-litre bottles. I also include an Irish pét nat produced by David Dennison in Waterford using the solaris and seyval blanc grapes. It has a little sediment that adds flavour.

Papilou Pétillant Natural 2021, Languedoc, Organic

12%, €20.95

A light and easy gently sparkling rosé with subtle strawberry fruits. Perfect summer drinking.

From O’Briens

Meinklang Prosa Sparkling Rosé 2023, Austria (Organic)

11%, €23

Floral aromas with very attractive crunchy redcurrant fruits and a snappy dry finish. By itself or with summer salads.

From Sheridans Cheesemongers; Lennox Street Grocer, D8; Green Man Wines, D6W; Whelehans, Loughlinstown; MacCurtain, Cork; Dodi Stockroom, Lahinch; The Store Next Door, Westport; 64 Wine, Glasthule; Fallon & Byrne, D2

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Nádúrtha Pétillant Natural No 3, Viking Irish Drinks 2022, Ireland, Organic

10.5%, €26.95

Vibrant, fresh and lightly sparkling, with cleansing apple and pear fruits. A very enjoyable wine. Try it with seafood, or by itself on a warm summer’s evening.

From Ardkeen, Waterford; Cass & Co. Dungarvan; Quishes, SuperValu, Tramore; Urru, Bandon; Pop-Up@Ballymaloe Shanagarry

Niepoort Drink Me Nat’Cool, Terras do Dâo 2021, Portugal, Organic

12%, €30 for one-litre bottle

Light in alcohol with crunchy wild strawberry, red cherry and raspberry fruits. Drink lightly chilled with cold meats, firm cheese and mixed antipasti.

From Blackrock Cellar; Green Man Wines, D6W; Pinto Wines, D9; 1601 Kinsale