The 5 natural fizzes you need to end 2023 on a high note

Jérôme Peleyras | 12/17/23, 2:16 PM

End-of-year festivities often rhyme with effervescence, and as there's more to life than champagne, discover our selection of natural sparkling wines, also known as "Pet Nat".

Behind the name Pet Nat (short for Pétillant Naturel) lies a method of making sparkling wine. And yes, the Pet Nat hype is not new... The ancestral method used dates back to the Middle Ages.

The ancestral method for making Pet Nat

The wine is bottled early, before the end of the alcoholic fermentation of the must. Fermentation is completed in the bottle. As a result, the wine takes on foam naturally. The level of residual sugar (from 10 to 80 g) determines the type of sparkling wine: brut, demi-sec or doux.

Several appellations include Pet Nat in their specifications:

Gaillac
Limoux
Die
Cerdon
Vouvray
Montlouis-sur-Loire.

Winemakers throughout France can also choose to produce them as "Vin de France". These "Pet Nat" wines generally have simple aromas, with little effervescence, and are easy to drink as an aperitif or with starters, with the advantage of unbeatable value for money compared with champagnes.

Our five "Pet Nat" favorites

Discover our top 5 natural sparkling wines during a tasting session at our Atelier du Goût premises.

Domaine Vincent Carême, Plaisir Ancestral 2021

Tasting notes: this 100% chenin Vouvray is our tasting committee's favorite! The nose is complex, with citrus notes combined with a floral bouquet dominated by lily of the valley. The palate is straightforward, with a lovely creamy effervescence. The finish is saline and salivating, with notes of grapefruit. Chiselled and precise, we're asking for more!

Website: http: //vincentcareme.fr
Price: 19.50 euros
Score : 96/100

Domaine Le Rocher des Violettes, Pétillant Originel 2020

Tasting notes: yet another cuvée featuring the chenin grape! On the nose, this Montlouis-sur-Loire is bursting with freshness, with notes of citrus fruit, pear and white flowers dominated by lime blossom. On the palate, the effervescence is fine and delicate. Aromas are dominated by apricot, apple and pear. The finish is taut, with lingering bitters. A sparkling wine that makes you hungry!

Website: www.lerocherdesviolettes.com
Price : 21.50 euros
Score : 94/100

Mas del Périé, Capsule 2021

Tasting notes : The UFO of our tasting comes from Gaillac. This blend of petit and gros manseng has a nose of mint tea and peach. On tasting, the wine is chewy and taut. The finish ends on beautiful bitters and notes of passion fruit. A magnificent complexity that stands out from the crowd, even if a more persistent effervescence would have been appreciated. A wine that will undoubtedly make a splash at family dinners, but which will have a small effect.

Website: https: //masdelperie.com/
Price : 20 euros
Score : 93/100

Clos de Troteligotte, Waz-K Merlot 2021

Tasting notes : Cahors for this Pet Nat 100% Merlot. On the nose, the wine is rather discreet, but on the palate, there's plenty of substance with lovely bubbles. The wine is chiselled with a fine tension that finishes on notes of black pepper and eucalyptus. A sparkling rosé that's a pleasure to open at aperitif time.

Website: https: //clostroteligotte.com
Price: 16 euros
Score : 92/100

Château Viguerie, the extravagant rosé 2020

Tasting notes : The latest in our selection is a sort of hybrid between beer and wine, titrating at 9.5°. The nose is dominated by red berries and rose. On tasting, the attack is clean, with a fresh, saline finish and lemony notes. A fresh Pet Nat with good drinkability. A bottle that won't last long on your table!