{"schema":{"type":"ModernMazerRecipe","version":"1.0"},"canonicalUrl":"https://modernmazer.com/recipes/wildflower-petillant","jsonUrl":"https://modernmazer.com/recipes/wildflower-petillant.json","slug":"wildflower-petillant","name":"Wildflower Pétillant Naturel Mead","summary":"A pétillant naturel (pét-nat) style mead built on raw wildflower honey. Bottled before fermentation is complete to capture natural carbonation in the bottle. Produces a lively, slightly hazy, naturally sparkling mead. Targets 8% ABV with a semi-dry finish. 5-gallon batch.","heroImage":null,"heroImageAlt":"A glass of hazy golden pétillant naturel mead beside wildflowers and a honey jar","author":"Modern Mazer","publishedDate":"2026-09-13","updatedDate":"2026-09-13","testingStatus":"development","evidenceStatus":"editorial","difficulty":"expert","style":"Pétillant Naturel","tags":["mead","petillant-naturel","natural-carbonation","wildflower","hazy","advanced","five-gallon"],"targetBatchVolume":5,"targetBatchVolumeUnit":"gallons","grossBatchVolume":5.5,"grossBatchVolumeUnit":"gallons","expectedProductionLoss":0.09,"targetABV":8,"originalGravity":1.06,"finalGravity":1.004,"sweetnessLevel":"semi-sweet","carbonationLevel":"petillant","ingredients":[{"id":"honey","name":"Raw wildflower honey","quantity":8,"unit":"lbs","notes":"Raw honey preferred for natural yeast and enzyme content.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"water","name":"Filtered water","quantity":4.5,"unit":"gallons","notes":null,"optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"fermaid-o","name":"Fermaid-O","quantity":8,"unit":"g","notes":null,"optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"manual"}],"yeast":{"name":"Lalvin 71B","brand":"Lalvin","quantity":1,"unit":"packets","notes":"Produces a clean, fruity pét-nat."},"nutrientSchedule":[{"timing":"Day 0 (pitch)","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":2,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"timing":"24 hours","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":2,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"timing":"48 hours","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":2,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"timing":"1/3 sugar break","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":2,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"}],"equipment":["6-gallon fermentation vessel","Airlock and stopper","Hydrometer","Thermometer","Sanitizer","Auto-siphon and tubing","Crown-cap bottles rated for carbonation pressure","Bottle capper"],"process":[{"step":1,"title":"Sanitize all equipment","description":"Prepare no-rinse sanitizer. Sanitize all vessels and tools.","note":null},{"step":2,"title":"Build honey must","description":"Dissolve honey in 1 gallon of warm water. Cool. Add to fermenter with remaining water to 5.5 gallons.","note":null},{"step":3,"title":"Take OG reading","description":"Record original gravity. Target approximately 1.060.","note":null},{"step":4,"title":"Pitch yeast and nutrients","description":"Pitch Lalvin 71B. Add Day 0 nutrients. Ferment at 65–70°F.","note":null},{"step":5,"title":"Staggered nutrient additions","description":"Follow TOSNA schedule. Degas before each addition.","note":null},{"step":6,"title":"Monitor fermentation closely","description":"Check gravity daily as fermentation approaches target. Target bottling gravity: approximately 1.010–1.015 (still actively fermenting).","note":"Pét-nat requires precise timing. Bottle too early and you risk over-carbonation; too late and you lose carbonation."},{"step":7,"title":"Bottle at target gravity","description":"When gravity reaches 1.010–1.015, bottle immediately into crown-cap bottles rated for carbonation pressure. Cap tightly.","note":"CRITICAL: Use only bottles rated for carbonation pressure. Standard wine bottles are NOT safe for pét-nat."},{"step":8,"title":"Condition in bottle","description":"Store bottles upright at 65–70°F for 2–4 weeks to allow fermentation to complete in bottle. Then refrigerate.","note":null}],"fermentationTemperature":"65–70°F (18–21°C)","fermentationTimeline":"2–4 weeks (bottle conditioning)","conditioningTimeline":"2–4 weeks in bottle","packagingInstructions":"CRITICAL: Use only bottles rated for carbonation pressure. Bottle at gravity 1.010–1.015. Store upright at room temperature for 2–4 weeks, then refrigerate.","safetyNotes":["CRITICAL: Use only bottles rated for carbonation pressure for pét-nat. Standard wine bottles are NOT safe and can shatter.","Pét-nat produces significant carbonation pressure. Handle bottles carefully and chill before opening.","Monitor bottle pressure by opening one test bottle periodically.","Never bottle at a gravity higher than 1.015 — excessive residual sugar will cause dangerous over-carbonation.","Sanitize all equipment that contacts the must or finished mead."],"scalingNotes":"Honey and water scale linearly. Nutrient additions do NOT scale linearly. Bottling gravity target remains the same regardless of batch size.","version":"1.0.0","changeHistory":[{"version":"1.0.0","date":"2026-09-13","summary":"Initial record. Phase 4C Batch 10.","changedBy":"Modern Mazer"}],"relatedRecipes":["traditional-wildflower-mead","classic-hydromel"],"relatedTutorials":[],"references":[{"title":"TOSNA 3.0 Nutrient Calculator","url":"https://www.meadmakr.com/tosna-calculator/","author":null,"year":null,"notes":null}]}