APPELLATION: Danube Plain, near the Black Sea Coast, Bulgaria
GRAPES: 100% Riesling
VINEYARD: A single vineyard in Northeast Black Sea region 5 ha planted in 2007.
TERROIR: Moderate continental climate, loess soils at 233 m above sea level
WINEMAKING: Pét-Nat is short for Pétillant Naturel, which means Naturally Sparkling in French.
This lightly fizzy wine has gained a bit of buzz lately with the growing popularity in the
natural/organic movement and in more rudimentary methods of winemaking, but people have been
sipping on it for ages.
Pét-Nat is made by what is known as the Ancestral method, which is the oldest version of sparkling
wine making. This method involves bottling before first fermentation has finished, allowing the
process to complete in bottle (versus the Champagne method, which commence second fermentation
in bottle after the first has completed). The more rustic approach to making Pét-Nat means it
is usually less refined (in a good way!) – each wine varies and will usually be quite aromatic. This
ancestral winemaking process also results in a much less bubbly wine than Champagne, the light fizz
is why we think Pét-Nat makes a nice substitute for a golden or cloudy beer.
The grapes for this Extra Brut Pét-Nat Riesling were picked at 19% sugar content in the middle of
Sept 2021 from Tsarev Brod winery’s own vineyards near the city of Shumen, Black Sea Coast,
Bulgaria. It has started fermentation in small 300 liter tanks at 14-16 °C and has been bottled at 35g/l
residual sugar to finish fermentation in the bottle.
AGEING: The wine has aged in the bottle for 4 months over its fine lees, then a part disgorgement is
done and the wine remains with its fine sediment.
TECHNICAL FACTS: ABV 11.5%, Residual sugar 12 g/l, Total acidity 9 g/l
COLOUR: Very gentle apricot colour.
NOSE: Fresh, with intense notes of lemon and yellow fruits.
PALATE: Medium bodied with attractive apple and citrus notes, fine and persistent mousse and very
pleasant, refreshing finish.
FOOD MATCH: Aperitif, shellfish, salads, fish and chips.
