White Grape Pét-Nat (Méthode Ancestrale)

Total timeline: 139 days (49 fermentation + 90 aging)

  1. Day 0

    Test must

    Brix should be 19-22 for a balanced pet-nat (lower than typical wine).

  2. Day 0

    Pitch yeast

    Add nutrient sparingly; pitch yeast.

  3. Day 0-7

    Primary

    Ferment at 60-65°F. Track SG closely.

  4. Day 7

    Bottle at right SG

    Bottle when SG hits 1.010-1.015. Crown-cap heavy bottles. This is the critical step.

  5. Day 7-49

    Bottle ferment

    Store cool. Pressure builds as remaining sugar ferments. 4-6 weeks to dryness.

  6. Day 90

    Rest

    Age in bottle 1-2 months. Some makers disgorge (open, lose lees, recap); many leave cloudy.