Pet Nat, short for Pétillant Naturel, means “naturally sparkling” and is the original way sparkling wines were made—way before Champagne showed up on the scene. It’s enjoying a big comeback, especially with Aussie drinkers who love something fresh, fun, and a bit different from the polished fizz you’re used to.

The magic of Pet Nat is in the method: the wine is bottled before fermentation is finished, so it continues fermenting in the bottle. This natural process traps carbon dioxide, creating bubbles without adding extra yeast or sugar. Because it’s bottled early, Pet Nats tend to be lightly sparkling with a softer fizz and lower pressure than Champagne or Prosecco.

Expect Pet Nats to be a little cloudy or hazy since they’re usually unfiltered and unfined, leaving behind sediment and funky, wild flavours that give each bottle its own personality. They can be white, rosé, or red, and styles vary widely—from dry and crisp to lightly sweet and juicy. Alcohol levels tend to be lower, often sitting between 10 and 12 percent.