The Equilibrists: A Natural Pet Nat Wine from France’s Vineyards

François de Monval is a restaurateur and wine merchant in Paris. His partner, Florent Girou, is a consultant oenologist. Together, in a crazy project they called Les Équilibristes, they accompany a handful of winegrowers who want to change their methods without really knowing how to go about it or where to start. Their golden rules: highlight native grape varieties, practice organic farming, favor living and aerated soils, vinify without adding corrective products, with a minimal (or zero) supply of sulphites.

Girou and de Monval support their partners throughout the year, traveling thousands of kilometers on the roads of the vineyards of France, between Languedoc, Provence, Savoie, Périgord and the Loire, where they produce this very good natural sparkling wine (pet ‘nat’ for friends), made from young vines of pineau d’aunis and gray and black grolleau, which completes its fermentation in the bottle.

The golden color shows pretty pink reflections; the nose smells of peach, strawberry purée, pepper and breadcrumbs. On the palate, precise flavors are carried by a fine and abundant foam; there is volume, a fairly satiating substance and an invigorating freshness. I learned to be wary of pet ‘nat’ (sometimes rough, often plain and almost always too expensive), but this one is really impeccable! Lots of fun in perspective at the table with salads, asparagus and fried courgette flowers.

Health !