THESE WINES REIGN SUPREME A Primer on “Pet-Nats” Written by Annie Mosbaugh Knapp
Daniel’s Vineyard and Winery is located at Geist Reservoir, sitting on 80 acres of the Cook family’s property. It is known as one of Indiana’s most exquisite event venues, boasting views of the 22-acre vineyard and rooms with an eagle eye over their state-ofthe-art production facility. Winemaker Blake Trobaugh has been at the winery for two years, and is a dedicated, self-taught vintner with years of experience. Upon joining the winery in 2019, he was excited to make quality, dry wines in Indiana, and so the family gave Blake the opportunity to do what he does best, which is create magic in a bottle. Of his many varietals and vintages, pet-nats are certainly his passion. What is a pet-nat? you may ask. Pet-nat is short for “petillant naturel”, a French term that means “naturally sparkling.” The wine is bottled during its initial fermentation, and the sugars from the grapes provide the bubbles. It is a natural process, realized without additions, that allows the fruit to be the star. Pet-nats are also unfiltered, allowing one to experience a full spectrum of flavors. The pet-nat process traps wine in the bottle at its peak freshness and develops flavors not found in still wines or
sparkling wines made in a more commercial method, like prosecco or champagne. The style is the most effective way to highlight some of the unique qualities of the native and hybrid grapes grown in the estate vineyard. Pet-nats make perfect brunch wine -- the natural juiciness of the wine conveys that mimosa feeling, without added juice. Sparkling wine is delicious any time of year and pairs wonderfully with a variety of foods. While champagne is appropriate on occasion, pet-nats feel more casual and offer a wider variety of flavors. Less is more here -- wine is a true agricultural product, directly tied to a place and time. With a petnat, you can taste the flavor of the specific fruit from which the wine has been made. Daniel’s carries a variety of pet-nats, all titled as pieces of art, each featuring a custom illustration by artist and family member Jenna Cook. You can taste Reign, Royal Rose, Citrine Sovereign, and Purple Reign at Daniel’s Vineyard in McCordsville, Indiana. sl For more information, visit danielsvineyard.com
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