Pet Nat, short for Pétillant Naturel, is a type of sparkling wine that has become super popular over the last couple of decades. 

Unlike traditional sparkling wines (like Champagne), which undergo a secondary fermentation process in the bottle to create bubbles, Pet Nat is bottled before the first fermentation is complete, allowing the carbon dioxide produced by the natural sugars in the grape juice to remain in the wine, creating a lighter and (usually) less intensely sparkling wine.

The winemaking in Pet Nat is pretty hands off and can be made and released pretty quickly after vintage, making it a staple amongst many natural wine makers. The minimal intervention nature of Pet Nat means the wine is often more expressive of place, grape variety and terroir, especially when compared to traditional sparkling wines.

Because of the uncontrolled nature of the fermentation process, Pet Nat wines can be quite varied in their style, texture and level of bubbly-ness. These days many are disgorged before release, but they are still often cloudy with noticeable sediment in the bottle. While they are typically enjoyed young, they can also age gracefully, with flavors and aromas developing over time.

Although varied in style, Pet Nat wines are generally a lighter and fresher sparkling wine option. They pair well with a variety of foods and can be a great option for picnics and parties.