Boo! This cheeky little monster is scarily good. Introducing Il Pestifero Organic Pét-Nat. With its pumpkin-faced label, this cheeky little number is part of Tenuta di Tavignano’s fantastic ‘I Love Monsters’ range – a series of wines rediscovering traditional winemaking techniques. Crisp and dry with a gentle fizz, it tastes like pear sorbet, crunchy green apples, lemon sherbet, wildflowers, the herb patch on a frosty morning, and an ever-so-gentle waft of fine cider. Il Pestifero means ‘the naughty boy’, but that seems a little unfair seeing as Pét-Nat (pétillant naturel) is actually Champagne’s cooler, older brother. Pét-Nat’s technical name is ‘méthode ancestrale’ and although this style has been around for some five centuries, it has blown up recently and developed a huge cult following. Il Pestifero Bianco Frizzante Sur Lie is made using an organic blend of Verdicchio, Malvasia and Sangiovese, which is vinified white. Before the fermentation is finished, the wine is bottled and undergoes a secondary fermentation there in the bottle, trapping the bubbles beneath the crown cap. Unlike Champagne, the spent yeast – called lees – are left in the wine, creating a hazy appearance and a creamy texture. Not quite as ‘funky’ as some Pét-Nat can be, Il Pestifero is surprisingly approachable for a monster, and makes a wonderful aperitif and introduction to this style of wine. Tenuta di Tavignano is a stunning property in the region of Le Marche, Italy. Sitting amidst picturesque undulating hills speckled patchworked with vineyards and punctuated with towering cypress trees; it’s pure holiday goals.

£2.67 per 100.00ml