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You Had Me at Pet-Nat: A Natural Wine-Soaked Memoir
A natural wine-soaked memoir about finding your passion -- and falling in love -- by the publisher of Pipette Magazine.
It was Rachel Signer's dream to be that girl: the one smoking hand-rolled cigarettes out the French windows of her 19th-century Parisian studio apartment, wearing second-hand Isabel Marant jeans and sipping a glass of Beaujolais redolent of crushed roses with a touch of horse mane. Instead she was an under-appreciated freelance journalist and waitress in New York City, frustrated at always being broke and completely miserable in love. When she tastes her first pétillant-naturel (pét-nat for short), a type of natural wine made with no additives or chemicals, it sets her on a journey of self-discovery, both deeply personal and professional, that leads her to Paris, Italy, Spain, Georgia, and finally deep into the wilds of south Australia and which forces her, in the face of her "Wildman," to ask herself the hard question: can she really handle the unconventional life she claims she truly wants?
Have you ever been sidetracked by something that turned into a career path? Did you ever think you were looking for a certain kind of romantic partner, but fell in love with someone wild, passionate and with a completely different life? For Signer, the discovery of natural wine became an introduction to a larger ethos and philosophy that she had long craved: one rooted in egalitarianism, diversity, organics, environmental concerns, and ancient traditions. In You Had Me at Pét-Nat, as Signer begins to truly understand these revolutionary wine producers upending the industry, their deep commitment to making their wine with integrity and with as little intervention as possible, she is smacked with the realization that unless she faces, head-on, her own issues with commitment, she will not be able to live a life that is as freewheeling, unpredictable, and singular as the wine she loves.
It was Rachel Signer's dream to be that girl: the one smoking hand-rolled cigarettes out the French windows of her 19th-century Parisian studio apartment, wearing second-hand Isabel Marant jeans and sipping a glass of Beaujolais redolent of crushed roses with a touch of horse mane. Instead she was an under-appreciated freelance journalist and waitress in New York City, frustrated at always being broke and completely miserable in love. When she tastes her first pétillant-naturel (pét-nat for short), a type of natural wine made with no additives or chemicals, it sets her on a journey of self-discovery, both deeply personal and professional, that leads her to Paris, Italy, Spain, Georgia, and finally deep into the wilds of south Australia and which forces her, in the face of her "Wildman," to ask herself the hard question: can she really handle the unconventional life she claims she truly wants?
Have you ever been sidetracked by something that turned into a career path? Did you ever think you were looking for a certain kind of romantic partner, but fell in love with someone wild, passionate and with a completely different life? For Signer, the discovery of natural wine became an introduction to a larger ethos and philosophy that she had long craved: one rooted in egalitarianism, diversity, organics, environmental concerns, and ancient traditions. In You Had Me at Pét-Nat, as Signer begins to truly understand these revolutionary wine producers upending the industry, their deep commitment to making their wine with integrity and with as little intervention as possible, she is smacked with the realization that unless she faces, head-on, her own issues with commitment, she will not be able to live a life that is as freewheeling, unpredictable, and singular as the wine she loves.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published October 19, 2021
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2068 people want to read
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March 17, 2022
3.5 stars.
A subgenre of food writing concerns people, mostly women, who find self-actualization and purpose through their engagement with food and beverages. Eat Pray Love and Julie and Julia immediately come to mind. Done well, these books can be both inspirational and sumptuous, appealing to the reader's desire to achieve a life of purpose and fulfillment buttressed by an appetite for good food and drink. Although You Had Me at Pet-Nat: A Natural Wine-Soaked Memoir falls short of being a genre-defining book, author Rachel Signer gives readers a tale that is quite readable and tantalizing in its own scrappy way.
In typical fashion, this boozy memoir begins in angst and despair. Barely making ends meet in Brooklyn shortly after the culture quake that was the 2016 presidential election, Signer is a highly educated, underemployed Millennial whose aspirations to become a writer and open her own wine bar seem far out of reach. Through a series of events I'm still muddy about, she finds her way to Paris, then Georgia (the country), where she meets Wildman, her eventual lover, and sets off with him to his farm in southern Australia, where she helps Wildman make and bottle his pet-nats. That's the basic plot of the book, yet Signer's memoir teeter totters between exceptional detail and eye-rolling annoyance. If this book were a wine it would probably be a standard table wine.
The book succeeds when Signer provides various testimonials about pet-nat. She, Wildman, and their friends and coworkers have an abiding passion for these wines. I liked that she was intuitive enough to pick up on the obvious connections to Greek mythology and paganism in her odyssey with Wildman, who can be seen alternatively as Hades (she compares herself to Persephone), Dionysus, and Cernunnos. Stereotypical as Wildman's characterization is, I found him to be the most focused and centered person in the memoir. Signer's globetrotting will make readers a bit jealous, but that's the joy of reading a food/wine memoir.
What makes the book a struggle to completely embrace, however, is the author herself. Signer would be the first to admit that she was a mess during this time in her life, that competing desires and ambitions got in the way of her making a success of any endeavor. To me, hers is the story of many Millennial women who have many options available to them, unlike their mothers and grandmothers, yet become overwhelmed. Toss in chronic FOMO and typical Becky behavior and you can picture what these women are like. I championed both Signer and her best friend Gaba for their desire to become acclaimed writers and wine bar owners, yet felt a bit let down when both of them decided to shelve those dreams in favor of good old fashioned domesticity. This is especially true in Signer's best friend's case. Gaba finds herself unexpectedly pregnant after briefly dating a guy and sullenly surrenders to marriage and motherhood. I was sad for her and I was ticked off at Signer, who could alternate from competent and controlled to addled and petulant from one moment to the next. But who among us hasn't experienced big emotional swings?
More than anything, You Had Me at Pet-Mat serves as a big promotion of the natural wine industry. I'm a big wine lover (dark, pungent, structured reds) but I had never heard of pet-nats until I listened to this audiobook. While I don't think these sparkling wines would be to my taste, Signer's enthusiasm about theses wines, to say nothing of Wildman's dedication to producing them, makes me eager to give them a try.
* FYI--I just discovered that Amazon is only allowing those who purchased this book through them to review it. Things that make you go Hmmm . . .
A subgenre of food writing concerns people, mostly women, who find self-actualization and purpose through their engagement with food and beverages. Eat Pray Love and Julie and Julia immediately come to mind. Done well, these books can be both inspirational and sumptuous, appealing to the reader's desire to achieve a life of purpose and fulfillment buttressed by an appetite for good food and drink. Although You Had Me at Pet-Nat: A Natural Wine-Soaked Memoir falls short of being a genre-defining book, author Rachel Signer gives readers a tale that is quite readable and tantalizing in its own scrappy way.
In typical fashion, this boozy memoir begins in angst and despair. Barely making ends meet in Brooklyn shortly after the culture quake that was the 2016 presidential election, Signer is a highly educated, underemployed Millennial whose aspirations to become a writer and open her own wine bar seem far out of reach. Through a series of events I'm still muddy about, she finds her way to Paris, then Georgia (the country), where she meets Wildman, her eventual lover, and sets off with him to his farm in southern Australia, where she helps Wildman make and bottle his pet-nats. That's the basic plot of the book, yet Signer's memoir teeter totters between exceptional detail and eye-rolling annoyance. If this book were a wine it would probably be a standard table wine.
The book succeeds when Signer provides various testimonials about pet-nat. She, Wildman, and their friends and coworkers have an abiding passion for these wines. I liked that she was intuitive enough to pick up on the obvious connections to Greek mythology and paganism in her odyssey with Wildman, who can be seen alternatively as Hades (she compares herself to Persephone), Dionysus, and Cernunnos. Stereotypical as Wildman's characterization is, I found him to be the most focused and centered person in the memoir. Signer's globetrotting will make readers a bit jealous, but that's the joy of reading a food/wine memoir.
What makes the book a struggle to completely embrace, however, is the author herself. Signer would be the first to admit that she was a mess during this time in her life, that competing desires and ambitions got in the way of her making a success of any endeavor. To me, hers is the story of many Millennial women who have many options available to them, unlike their mothers and grandmothers, yet become overwhelmed. Toss in chronic FOMO and typical Becky behavior and you can picture what these women are like. I championed both Signer and her best friend Gaba for their desire to become acclaimed writers and wine bar owners, yet felt a bit let down when both of them decided to shelve those dreams in favor of good old fashioned domesticity. This is especially true in Signer's best friend's case. Gaba finds herself unexpectedly pregnant after briefly dating a guy and sullenly surrenders to marriage and motherhood. I was sad for her and I was ticked off at Signer, who could alternate from competent and controlled to addled and petulant from one moment to the next. But who among us hasn't experienced big emotional swings?
More than anything, You Had Me at Pet-Mat serves as a big promotion of the natural wine industry. I'm a big wine lover (dark, pungent, structured reds) but I had never heard of pet-nats until I listened to this audiobook. While I don't think these sparkling wines would be to my taste, Signer's enthusiasm about theses wines, to say nothing of Wildman's dedication to producing them, makes me eager to give them a try.
* FYI--I just discovered that Amazon is only allowing those who purchased this book through them to review it. Things that make you go Hmmm . . .
October 14, 2021
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
2.5. I wanted to love this, but I didn't connect with the writing style--it didn't feel like a memoir so much as a treatise on wine-making and natural wines with a hint of romance thrown in. With the lack of detail about herself, Signer comes across as a little entitled, so I didn't connect with her either. The parts about wine-making were mildly interesting, but I'd have preferred more details about her journey and her feelings.
2.5. I wanted to love this, but I didn't connect with the writing style--it didn't feel like a memoir so much as a treatise on wine-making and natural wines with a hint of romance thrown in. With the lack of detail about herself, Signer comes across as a little entitled, so I didn't connect with her either. The parts about wine-making were mildly interesting, but I'd have preferred more details about her journey and her feelings.
March 11, 2022
Shamelessly my shit. Also I cried
May 29, 2021
When requesting this book to read and review, I thought it was a novel, but I have since learned from Googling the author that it is a memoir. I've read a lot of biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs over the years, and this book reads more like a novel to me.
It was great learning the difference between natural wines and wines that were not made using the natural process. I didn't know any of this before; I drink wine, of course, but I only know that I like all reds and only some white, and that rosé is my favorite. Now, I will look at labels and the names of vineyards in a different way.
I think I would have enjoyed this book more if it was less technical with respect to the world of wines. For me, the abundance of information on certain labels, and some of the terminology unique to the wine-making industry, were a bit overwhelming, and the story of the author's life took a backseat. However, it is clear that the author knows a great deal about wine in general, and about natural wines specifically. I also felt like at times the author was trying to shock me with some of her decisions, both those planned as well as those spontaneous.
Overall, a novel about a waitress-turned-wine expert and her journey through Europe might be more entertaining to me. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced ebook edition of this book to read.
It was great learning the difference between natural wines and wines that were not made using the natural process. I didn't know any of this before; I drink wine, of course, but I only know that I like all reds and only some white, and that rosé is my favorite. Now, I will look at labels and the names of vineyards in a different way.
I think I would have enjoyed this book more if it was less technical with respect to the world of wines. For me, the abundance of information on certain labels, and some of the terminology unique to the wine-making industry, were a bit overwhelming, and the story of the author's life took a backseat. However, it is clear that the author knows a great deal about wine in general, and about natural wines specifically. I also felt like at times the author was trying to shock me with some of her decisions, both those planned as well as those spontaneous.
Overall, a novel about a waitress-turned-wine expert and her journey through Europe might be more entertaining to me. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced ebook edition of this book to read.
March 8, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up to 4!
As a heavy wine drinker, I love to read wine-based memoirs to improve my knowledge of that secret world! This memoir reminded me of my favorite foodie/wine memoirs, “Sweetbitter” and “Wine Girl”
Our author travels through incredible countries, sharing intimate details of her travels. We meet the unique cast & crew of the natural wine world. We watch our author fall in love, travel and make decisions about her future. I appreciated the author’s honesty and candor about her own personal life in addition to her knowledge of wine.
My favorite parts were the descriptions of the organic winemakers and their vineyards. I felt as though I was getting a behind-the-scenes peak at how wine is made in Georgia, France and Australia. This is why I read these kind of books...to feel like I am a part of that insular community!
What struck me was that this was not an easy read.
Even as someone who has done 250 wine tastings, some of the vocabulary and references went far over my head. There were some sections that were far too detailed on the nuances of wines I could never afford to drink. Although wine is clearly the focus of this memoir, I do believe it could have been made a bit more accessible.
As a heavy wine drinker, I love to read wine-based memoirs to improve my knowledge of that secret world! This memoir reminded me of my favorite foodie/wine memoirs, “Sweetbitter” and “Wine Girl”
Our author travels through incredible countries, sharing intimate details of her travels. We meet the unique cast & crew of the natural wine world. We watch our author fall in love, travel and make decisions about her future. I appreciated the author’s honesty and candor about her own personal life in addition to her knowledge of wine.
My favorite parts were the descriptions of the organic winemakers and their vineyards. I felt as though I was getting a behind-the-scenes peak at how wine is made in Georgia, France and Australia. This is why I read these kind of books...to feel like I am a part of that insular community!
What struck me was that this was not an easy read.
Even as someone who has done 250 wine tastings, some of the vocabulary and references went far over my head. There were some sections that were far too detailed on the nuances of wines I could never afford to drink. Although wine is clearly the focus of this memoir, I do believe it could have been made a bit more accessible.
January 21, 2023
LOVED LOVED LOVED!
October 2, 2021
I greatly enjoyed reading this book.
Rachel Signer had a vision for her future. It revolved (but wasn't limited to) living in an old, gorgeous apartment somewhere in beautiful Paris where she could sit back, watch the world go by from her windows, and sip on her beverage of choice - a great glass of wine.
Life had other ideas. Paris? Try New York City. Lounging in an old Paris apartment with a glass of wine? Try struggling to make it as a free lance journalist while waiting tables to pay the bills that seem to come with alarming frequency. Her love life was about as exciting as her paying job was - meaning, nope.
Little did she know that her life was about to take a turn, thanks to a glass of pétillant-naturel (the abbreviated "Pet-Nat" in the title"). Pet-Nat is an all natural wine, free of the extra additives and chemicals commonly used in the beverage.
You'll have to get the book to see how one little glass of Pet-Nat changes her life in ways she could never have imagined, and how it led to travels throughout Europe - and even Australia, and how it led to her finding the path she was always meant to take.
Rachel Signer had a vision for her future. It revolved (but wasn't limited to) living in an old, gorgeous apartment somewhere in beautiful Paris where she could sit back, watch the world go by from her windows, and sip on her beverage of choice - a great glass of wine.
Life had other ideas. Paris? Try New York City. Lounging in an old Paris apartment with a glass of wine? Try struggling to make it as a free lance journalist while waiting tables to pay the bills that seem to come with alarming frequency. Her love life was about as exciting as her paying job was - meaning, nope.
Little did she know that her life was about to take a turn, thanks to a glass of pétillant-naturel (the abbreviated "Pet-Nat" in the title"). Pet-Nat is an all natural wine, free of the extra additives and chemicals commonly used in the beverage.
You'll have to get the book to see how one little glass of Pet-Nat changes her life in ways she could never have imagined, and how it led to travels throughout Europe - and even Australia, and how it led to her finding the path she was always meant to take.
January 3, 2025
First off, I probably have to admit I came to the book with a bit of prejudice - I spent several years working in the wine industry in South Australia (who Rachel would consider the baddies, though - you know, the ones that have to make a living to pay rent) and was aware of the cult of the natural wine crowd who were too cool for school and extremely cliquey. Plus my friend who leant this to me described it as ‘insufferable’.
And as anticipated it was full of cliches - where Rachel always positioned herself as the cool and cultured American sneering at anyone who did anything touristy in Paris or dared drink anything but natural wine.
I did try my best to put my judgement aside and look at it objectively but I really struggled to care about her ‘journey’ - maybe Rachel was lacking a bit of self awareness or unable to let go and really show us her real self, because it felt a bit like a caricature.
On the plus side, I enjoyed learning more about the process of natural winemaking, the stories of the harvest in the Loire, and she did bring Paris alive for the reader. Plus I did love the references to spots in South Australia.
And as anticipated it was full of cliches - where Rachel always positioned herself as the cool and cultured American sneering at anyone who did anything touristy in Paris or dared drink anything but natural wine.
I did try my best to put my judgement aside and look at it objectively but I really struggled to care about her ‘journey’ - maybe Rachel was lacking a bit of self awareness or unable to let go and really show us her real self, because it felt a bit like a caricature.
On the plus side, I enjoyed learning more about the process of natural winemaking, the stories of the harvest in the Loire, and she did bring Paris alive for the reader. Plus I did love the references to spots in South Australia.
July 4, 2022
“A chilled, cloudy, low-alcohol bottle of pét-nat is the bad boy in a leather jacket, while a bottle of Champagne is more like a woman in a Chanel suit with pearls” -
Rachel Signer in “You Had Me At Pét-Nat”
A bit about love, a bit about the struggles of choosing the cities and places, and a lot about natural wine, this memoir is a perfect blend of the three, making it an enjoyable summer read (just as sipping a good pét-nat)! Filled with honesty and knowledge, it made me smile and feel as if I’ve been there all along next to Rachel- either on a bus in Georgia, in a bar in Paris, or jumping on the grapes in Australia. Besides, the world of natural wine story was described and explained so smoothly, and I felt connected to that in ways like never before.
Reminding of Dolly Alderton’s Everything I know About Love, and Ross’ Wine, All the time, the book is almost like a coming-of-wine read that is definitely on my recommendation list for many who wants a fun read this summer. Bonus points, you learn quite a lot about natural wine!
Rachel Signer in “You Had Me At Pét-Nat”
A bit about love, a bit about the struggles of choosing the cities and places, and a lot about natural wine, this memoir is a perfect blend of the three, making it an enjoyable summer read (just as sipping a good pét-nat)! Filled with honesty and knowledge, it made me smile and feel as if I’ve been there all along next to Rachel- either on a bus in Georgia, in a bar in Paris, or jumping on the grapes in Australia. Besides, the world of natural wine story was described and explained so smoothly, and I felt connected to that in ways like never before.
Reminding of Dolly Alderton’s Everything I know About Love, and Ross’ Wine, All the time, the book is almost like a coming-of-wine read that is definitely on my recommendation list for many who wants a fun read this summer. Bonus points, you learn quite a lot about natural wine!
November 16, 2021
While it was well-written for the most part, I just never warmed up to Rachel or her life. She and her partner hopped on planes between Australia, Europe and the USA like I take the bus to the next town to go to the dentist.
I didn't know anything about natural wines so I was happy to learn about that. But I kind of felt that she just lightly did whatever she did, whether it be publish a magazine, make her own wine, fall in love, have a great best friend.
Plus, for someone who is a writer and has published in magazines and other media, I assume she knows about spell-check, but she doesn't even know how to spell butter in French. It's beurre, not buerre.
I didn't know anything about natural wines so I was happy to learn about that. But I kind of felt that she just lightly did whatever she did, whether it be publish a magazine, make her own wine, fall in love, have a great best friend.
Plus, for someone who is a writer and has published in magazines and other media, I assume she knows about spell-check, but she doesn't even know how to spell butter in French. It's beurre, not buerre.
September 21, 2022
This book will educate people about the process of "natural wine," which is a movement around making organic, unfiltered wine without additives. The author used her personal story to illuminate the world of natural wine. It's a story that spans three to four years as she takes a journey from becoming a wine journalist to becoming a winemaker. This journey takes us inside the industry and lets us travel with her to Paris, Italy, Spain, Georgia, and South Australia. At the same time, she was forced to decide if she could handle such an unconventional life. Along the way, she realized that natural wine wasn't just about taste; it was about organics, environmental concerns, and ancient traditions behind the process of natural wine.
There was a great scene in the book when the author arrived in Paris and was having a café crème. The author wrote the experience so beautifully that I finished reading with such a longing to just upend my life, take a voyage and sip coffee in Paris.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at: https://www.momsdonthavetimetoreadboo...
There was a great scene in the book when the author arrived in Paris and was having a café crème. The author wrote the experience so beautifully that I finished reading with such a longing to just upend my life, take a voyage and sip coffee in Paris.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at: https://www.momsdonthavetimetoreadboo...
January 25, 2022
3.5 ⭐️ I generally really enjoyed this memoir and learned *so much more* about one of my budding interests, natural wine and the natural wine world. Signer is a great writer! And this book honestly read like fiction it was so fascinating. My only criticism is that at times, the narrative felt redundant (ie. overstating the feeling of self-doubt along her journey) and I found myself truly wondering how she connected point A to point B in career - she made it all seem so magical and effortless and I would have loved to hear more about the nitty-gritty hard work that made it actually all happen.
December 19, 2022
(3.5/5)
Almost dropped it after the first chapters since I loathe compulsory flirtatious people (ummm, American millennials?) and thought accompanying the author along her memoirs of mindless wandering would be unbearable. Enduring throughout my initial resistance, Rachel proved to be a highly enthralling raconteur, even relatable every now and then.
Analogous to a fun, unpretentious natural wine, this proved to be convoluted in its way to straightforwardness, reflective on its relation with faultiness, benignly imperfect, pétillant, humane!!
Almost dropped it after the first chapters since I loathe compulsory flirtatious people (ummm, American millennials?) and thought accompanying the author along her memoirs of mindless wandering would be unbearable. Enduring throughout my initial resistance, Rachel proved to be a highly enthralling raconteur, even relatable every now and then.
Analogous to a fun, unpretentious natural wine, this proved to be convoluted in its way to straightforwardness, reflective on its relation with faultiness, benignly imperfect, pétillant, humane!!
March 18, 2021
You Had Me at Pét-Nat
Rating: 3/5🌟
Rachel Signer had always dreamed of a life in Paris - the cool Parisian ease of drinking a glass of good wine in a café and exploring a life that was so different from her lackluster cramped apartment in NYC. Then she had her first taste of natural wine. Now, the editor of a natural wine focused magazine and burgeoning indie wine maker, Signer takes us in the journey from her waitressing days to making her own wine on a farm in Australia her now-husband.
You Had Me at Pét-Nat follows Signer from the bustling streets of Brooklyn to the rolling hills of Adelaide and back again, as she follows her passion for natural wines and discovers herself along the way. A perfect read for any wine lover and naturist, this memoir will have looking for your next great glass of wine.
I really found myself on the fence with this book - I loved following Rachel’s trajectory from waitress to wine maker, but at some points it was hard to really understand her. The overload of info about wine making read more culinary than biographical and I struggled to connect with Rachel the person vs Rachel the professional wine reviewer. The ending was swift and really did a disservice to her and ‘Wildman’’s relationship - there was obviously some strong personal development that happened here that would have been interesting to work through with Signer after the lead in. Overall, a great book about wine, but I struggle to see it as a full fledged memoir.
Read if you like:
+ Wine & it’s history
+ Food & culinary travel
+ Memoirs about self discovery
Thank you so much to Rachel Signer, Hachette Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Rating: 3/5🌟
Rachel Signer had always dreamed of a life in Paris - the cool Parisian ease of drinking a glass of good wine in a café and exploring a life that was so different from her lackluster cramped apartment in NYC. Then she had her first taste of natural wine. Now, the editor of a natural wine focused magazine and burgeoning indie wine maker, Signer takes us in the journey from her waitressing days to making her own wine on a farm in Australia her now-husband.
You Had Me at Pét-Nat follows Signer from the bustling streets of Brooklyn to the rolling hills of Adelaide and back again, as she follows her passion for natural wines and discovers herself along the way. A perfect read for any wine lover and naturist, this memoir will have looking for your next great glass of wine.
I really found myself on the fence with this book - I loved following Rachel’s trajectory from waitress to wine maker, but at some points it was hard to really understand her. The overload of info about wine making read more culinary than biographical and I struggled to connect with Rachel the person vs Rachel the professional wine reviewer. The ending was swift and really did a disservice to her and ‘Wildman’’s relationship - there was obviously some strong personal development that happened here that would have been interesting to work through with Signer after the lead in. Overall, a great book about wine, but I struggle to see it as a full fledged memoir.
Read if you like:
+ Wine & it’s history
+ Food & culinary travel
+ Memoirs about self discovery
Thank you so much to Rachel Signer, Hachette Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
March 8, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up to 4!
As a heavy wine drinker, I love to read wine-based memoirs to improve my knowledge of that secret world! This memoir reminded me of my favorite foodie/wine memoirs, “Sweetbitter” and “Wine Girl”
Our author travels through incredible countries, sharing intimate details of her travels. We meet the unique cast & crew of the natural wine world. We watch our author fall in love, travel and make decisions about her future. I appreciated the author’s honesty and candor about her own personal life in addition to her knowledge of wine.
My favorite parts were the descriptions of the organic winemakers and their vineyards. I felt as though I was getting a behind-the-scenes peak at how wine is made in Georgia, France and Australia. This is why I read these kind of books...to feel like I am a part of that insular community!
What struck me was that this was not an easy read.
Even as someone who has done 250 wine tastings, some of the vocabulary and references went far over my head. There were some sections that were far too detailed on the nuances of wines I could never afford to drink. Although wine is clearly the focus of this memoir, I do believe it could have been made a bit more accessible.
I loved parts of this book. Some parts were just not the kinda wine I like.
As a heavy wine drinker, I love to read wine-based memoirs to improve my knowledge of that secret world! This memoir reminded me of my favorite foodie/wine memoirs, “Sweetbitter” and “Wine Girl”
Our author travels through incredible countries, sharing intimate details of her travels. We meet the unique cast & crew of the natural wine world. We watch our author fall in love, travel and make decisions about her future. I appreciated the author’s honesty and candor about her own personal life in addition to her knowledge of wine.
My favorite parts were the descriptions of the organic winemakers and their vineyards. I felt as though I was getting a behind-the-scenes peak at how wine is made in Georgia, France and Australia. This is why I read these kind of books...to feel like I am a part of that insular community!
What struck me was that this was not an easy read.
Even as someone who has done 250 wine tastings, some of the vocabulary and references went far over my head. There were some sections that were far too detailed on the nuances of wines I could never afford to drink. Although wine is clearly the focus of this memoir, I do believe it could have been made a bit more accessible.
I loved parts of this book. Some parts were just not the kinda wine I like.
November 14, 2021
I had hoped You Had Me At Pét-Nat would be a hybrid of Sweetbitter and Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential. But, this self-proclaimed “wine-soaked memoir” was wine-splattered at best.
This memoir definitely reads more like a novel, and I did like the sprinkles of natural wine-making education throughout.
I mostly felt letdown and unimpressed by the author’s pursuit of her “Wildman,” and giving up her dreams in the process. Plus, that nickname itself just makes me cringe. The story did get better, I saw a shift around 70% and finally started getting into the storyline. I think at that point in the storyline, the author seemed more secure with the path her life had taken.
I found a lot of the dialogue to be pretty matter-of-fact, and the storyline could have vastly improved with some creative storytelling. Especially when it came to all of the amazing travels to picturesque winemaking places that they venture to.
Overall, You Had Me at Pét Nat fell flat for me, unlike the naturally sparkling & unfiltered wine it’s named for.
I received this eBook free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This memoir definitely reads more like a novel, and I did like the sprinkles of natural wine-making education throughout.
I mostly felt letdown and unimpressed by the author’s pursuit of her “Wildman,” and giving up her dreams in the process. Plus, that nickname itself just makes me cringe. The story did get better, I saw a shift around 70% and finally started getting into the storyline. I think at that point in the storyline, the author seemed more secure with the path her life had taken.
I found a lot of the dialogue to be pretty matter-of-fact, and the storyline could have vastly improved with some creative storytelling. Especially when it came to all of the amazing travels to picturesque winemaking places that they venture to.
Overall, You Had Me at Pét Nat fell flat for me, unlike the naturally sparkling & unfiltered wine it’s named for.
I received this eBook free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 9, 2023
I’ll have to be honest – I didn’t love this memoir at all. It took me about 75-80% of the way through it to feel even slightly good about it.
I loved the parts about natural wine, travelling to new and beautiful places and short but enlightening history lessons. However, I felt that the writing lacked colour. I also found it extremely difficult to connect with Signer herself, whom overall seemed to lack self-awareness… especially when it came to the topic of relationships whether they be romantic or friendly. I can forgive her for her lack of understanding of her direction in life, but it felt as though she was dragging people down with her (or leading them on) more often than not while being extremely reactionary rather than reflective.
Maybe if we got a bit more insight into her as a person I could have gotten behind it a bit more.
Overall I would recommend this to those who have an interest in natural wine. I won’t be keeping it on my shelf personally, but I don’t regret reading it!
I loved the parts about natural wine, travelling to new and beautiful places and short but enlightening history lessons. However, I felt that the writing lacked colour. I also found it extremely difficult to connect with Signer herself, whom overall seemed to lack self-awareness… especially when it came to the topic of relationships whether they be romantic or friendly. I can forgive her for her lack of understanding of her direction in life, but it felt as though she was dragging people down with her (or leading them on) more often than not while being extremely reactionary rather than reflective.
Maybe if we got a bit more insight into her as a person I could have gotten behind it a bit more.
Overall I would recommend this to those who have an interest in natural wine. I won’t be keeping it on my shelf personally, but I don’t regret reading it!
November 17, 2021
I wanted to like this book so much but I just couldn't relate or sympathise with the narrator. She first wanted to escape New York and got a great plan with her best friend to open a wine bar in Paris. It sounded so cool and got me excited to see more of their adventures to have their dreams come true. However, she easily changed her plan after meeting a guy and then followed him to Australia. From this part onwards, I started to lose interest as she came across to complain a lot about the guy she chose, as well as his lifestyle (that will become her lifestyle if she stayed with him). She also kept putting the Paris-plan on hold until very last minute without seeming guilty? Besides that, I was looking forward for the exciting stories about the winemaking, but unfortunately, it felt more like (overwhelming) facts sharing...
January 27, 2022
I really wanted to like this book but it’s a love letter to wine that goes on and on and I got bored. Also, the story just didn’t capture my dedication. I finished it bc I’m a committed reader.
March 4, 2021
Rachel Signer's "You Had Me at Pet-Nat" is her story of how she went from being a single New York journalist and wine seller to a winemaker living in rural Australia with the husband she met along the way. Signer's book is in the same vein as similar wine memoirs from Victoria James (Wine Girl) and Bianca Bosker (Cork Dork). Signer's is different in that she's very focused on just natural wines and doesn't try to hide that or dive into anything more mainstream or accessible.
The parts of the book not focused on her winemaking and wine exploration read almost like a romance novel as we get to know Wildman, a winemaker from Australia she meets while on a journalism trip to the country of Georgia. She's authentic in discussing their problems and her hesitation to dive into a relationship with a man who lives on the other side of the world.
There are some parts of the book where Signer gets a bit in the weeds on wine varieties/growing techniques but they don't take away from the rest of the book and are easily skimmable if you aren't interested in the intricacies of wine. Towards the beginning, especially when she is first in Paris, she uses a lot of French words without translation but that goes away even as she continues traveling around Europe.
You Had Me at Pet-Nat made me want to seek out the natural wines Signer mentions throughout the book (they're all very small wineries and very hard to find) and reminded me of the perks of leaving the beaten path when traveling so you can indulge in the local cuisines and have your own adventures.
Thank you to Hachette Books and NetGalley for providing this book for an honest review.
The parts of the book not focused on her winemaking and wine exploration read almost like a romance novel as we get to know Wildman, a winemaker from Australia she meets while on a journalism trip to the country of Georgia. She's authentic in discussing their problems and her hesitation to dive into a relationship with a man who lives on the other side of the world.
There are some parts of the book where Signer gets a bit in the weeds on wine varieties/growing techniques but they don't take away from the rest of the book and are easily skimmable if you aren't interested in the intricacies of wine. Towards the beginning, especially when she is first in Paris, she uses a lot of French words without translation but that goes away even as she continues traveling around Europe.
You Had Me at Pet-Nat made me want to seek out the natural wines Signer mentions throughout the book (they're all very small wineries and very hard to find) and reminded me of the perks of leaving the beaten path when traveling so you can indulge in the local cuisines and have your own adventures.
Thank you to Hachette Books and NetGalley for providing this book for an honest review.
July 1, 2021
You Had Me at Pet-Nat is a fun memoir covering Rachel Signer's journey into the world of natural wine. Along the way, she meets new friends (and lovers), starts a magazine, and creates her own wine blend. Throughout the book, Signer travels all across the world and beautifully captures the feel of each place. Whether it's a small cafe in Paris or a sprawling hillside in Australia, you really feel like you are there with her. It was really fascinating reading about her experience actually pressing her own grapes; I'll have to give her wine a try!
There were a handful of times when the book felt a little dry (pardon the wine pun). In the third act, Signer skillfully writes passages about the history of wine making and different regions of the world, but it was so far removed from what was happening with her in that moment that it read as somewhat disjointed.
As other reviewers have pointed out, there is a lot of both personal and financial privilege on display in this book. If you approach it as a light beach read, for example, that may not bother you. If you start to think too much about the countless round trip flights to Australia, however...not sure.
Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
There were a handful of times when the book felt a little dry (pardon the wine pun). In the third act, Signer skillfully writes passages about the history of wine making and different regions of the world, but it was so far removed from what was happening with her in that moment that it read as somewhat disjointed.
As other reviewers have pointed out, there is a lot of both personal and financial privilege on display in this book. If you approach it as a light beach read, for example, that may not bother you. If you start to think too much about the countless round trip flights to Australia, however...not sure.
Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
May 27, 2021I love a good memoir and coupling that with the story of a journalist turned winemaker, well I was sold! Rachel Singer’s memoir takes us from life as a journalist and wine seller to becoming a winemaker in Australia and weaves in a love story along the way.
I found the book to be charming and educational at the same time. There are sections which delve deeper into the winemaking process itself and can be a bit slow for readers not interested in learning the background/techniques behind, but these parts are easy to move through. One part I would say may be a bit challenging was the wine terminology and French words laced in the story without definition. I am fortunate to have a background in wine, so it was familiar to me, but others may not have an easy time with this. I could see how sections might get skimmed over or a reader might become frustrated having to stop to look things up.
Overall, a very interesting and enjoyable read. 3.5 star, rounded to 4.
Thank you Net Galley and Hachette Books for an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
I found the book to be charming and educational at the same time. There are sections which delve deeper into the winemaking process itself and can be a bit slow for readers not interested in learning the background/techniques behind, but these parts are easy to move through. One part I would say may be a bit challenging was the wine terminology and French words laced in the story without definition. I am fortunate to have a background in wine, so it was familiar to me, but others may not have an easy time with this. I could see how sections might get skimmed over or a reader might become frustrated having to stop to look things up.
Overall, a very interesting and enjoyable read. 3.5 star, rounded to 4.
Thank you Net Galley and Hachette Books for an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
September 12, 2022
YOU HAD ME AT PéT-NAT is one of THE BEST memoirs I've ever read!!!!
This book is 100% non-fiction but reads like fiction: you've got our "main character" who dreams of being an "it" girl living her best life in Paris — who inadvertently finds herself as a freelance journalist, broke waitress, and helpless in love.
But as fate would have it, her job takes her on a natural wine-soaked journey around the globe only to deepen her love of wine, become the founder of @pipettemagazine, and find love with Wild Man.
I adored the writing style of this memoir and learned so much about the processes of making wine.
Signer bears her soul to her readers, sharing the ins and outs of her crazy life journey all the way to her present life chapters as one heck of a well-rounded woman.
I did a hybrid read for this between physical and audio — both were perfection.
Seriously, if you enjoy being bougie about wine and love memoirs or women's fiction, READ THIS BOOK.
All ⭐️ the ⭐️ stars ⭐️
Thank you Hachette Publishing for this gifted book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is 100% non-fiction but reads like fiction: you've got our "main character" who dreams of being an "it" girl living her best life in Paris — who inadvertently finds herself as a freelance journalist, broke waitress, and helpless in love.
But as fate would have it, her job takes her on a natural wine-soaked journey around the globe only to deepen her love of wine, become the founder of @pipettemagazine, and find love with Wild Man.
I adored the writing style of this memoir and learned so much about the processes of making wine.
Signer bears her soul to her readers, sharing the ins and outs of her crazy life journey all the way to her present life chapters as one heck of a well-rounded woman.
I did a hybrid read for this between physical and audio — both were perfection.
Seriously, if you enjoy being bougie about wine and love memoirs or women's fiction, READ THIS BOOK.
All ⭐️ the ⭐️ stars ⭐️
Thank you Hachette Publishing for this gifted book in exchange for an honest review.
March 14, 2021
**Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
Before reading this memoir, I was not too familiar with natural wine and the labor that goes into producing each bottle. I was fascinated by Signer's stories and the inner workings of this world, particularly the people she met along the way. The fact that so many of them were living vintage to vintage, their livelihoods staked against the perfect combination of weather and fermentation, gave me a deeper appreciation for the wines she described. Signer's own journey of self-discovery was refreshingly raw and honest, and I think something that so many of us can identify with. I did find some of the more technical descriptions in the memoir to be a little dry/over my head, and I was left at times with the impression that the wines Signer was describing were out of reach for the average consumer. Nonetheless, I finished the book wanting to embark on my own exploration of natural wine, and I think this memoir is an excellent introduction to those who do not yet know about natural wine or want to learn more.
Before reading this memoir, I was not too familiar with natural wine and the labor that goes into producing each bottle. I was fascinated by Signer's stories and the inner workings of this world, particularly the people she met along the way. The fact that so many of them were living vintage to vintage, their livelihoods staked against the perfect combination of weather and fermentation, gave me a deeper appreciation for the wines she described. Signer's own journey of self-discovery was refreshingly raw and honest, and I think something that so many of us can identify with. I did find some of the more technical descriptions in the memoir to be a little dry/over my head, and I was left at times with the impression that the wines Signer was describing were out of reach for the average consumer. Nonetheless, I finished the book wanting to embark on my own exploration of natural wine, and I think this memoir is an excellent introduction to those who do not yet know about natural wine or want to learn more.
April 7, 2024
An overall enjoyable read, but Signer's mood swings/ changes of heart at times seemed abrupt and were hard to follow -- she wants to be independent, hates the Australian winters, and disgorging wine is torture; however, Australia is where she can be with the love of her life. When she finally decides to move back to Australia, I wish she had written a couple more pages about how that next Australian winter went. Was it just as hard as the previous? How did she make it through? Did Paris call her back? I think that could have helped to round out the story and give some closure to the back and forth of her emotions.
I really liked how the making and drinking of natural wine was the consistent motif throughout the memoir, though I think Signer missed an opportunity to use the natural wine as a metaphor for her life -- at times imperfect, but surprising, complex and rewarding. Or maybe that was exactly what she was trying to do and I just missed it 🤔.
I really liked how the making and drinking of natural wine was the consistent motif throughout the memoir, though I think Signer missed an opportunity to use the natural wine as a metaphor for her life -- at times imperfect, but surprising, complex and rewarding. Or maybe that was exactly what she was trying to do and I just missed it 🤔.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2024
Rachel Signer is a supremely talented writer -- one of the best I've read in years -- and this book is a total gem. The prose moved me deeply, and I found myself highlighting many sentences and even whole paragraphs. I loved reading about Rachel's travels, friendships and romances. And her writing about natural wine was such a welcome surprise! She has a gift for crafting immersive descriptions of the processes involved in natural wine making, and the places and the people behind it.
The beating heart of the book for me was her examination of the duelling selves within: her desire to live an independent, romantic writing life in Paris, while being pulled towards love and winemaking in rural Australia. It’s a fascinating internal tug of war, and the result - for the reader - is a vulnerable, thoughtful, beautiful exploration of the inner self that will be very relatable to so many. It certainly was to me!
I need a sequel, please. (And a bottle of natural wine.)
The beating heart of the book for me was her examination of the duelling selves within: her desire to live an independent, romantic writing life in Paris, while being pulled towards love and winemaking in rural Australia. It’s a fascinating internal tug of war, and the result - for the reader - is a vulnerable, thoughtful, beautiful exploration of the inner self that will be very relatable to so many. It certainly was to me!
I need a sequel, please. (And a bottle of natural wine.)
September 9, 2022
This is a book I picked up because I had just come back from France where my friend had introduced me to pet nats which we shared at sunset in Parc des Buttes Chaumont. Keen to learn more about this carbonated fermented wine, I picked up You Had Me at Pet-Nat. I really enjoyed the journey that Rachel went through from New York to Paris, and finally South Australia. I found her struggles and her act of falling in love with Paris very relatable. Underneath the explanations about the world of natural wines, I was most drawn to the love story that occurred between her and Wildman. I was anxiously reading to see if they’d end up together, despite their distance and difference in upbringings. I truly admired her ambition, storytelling and courageousness.
March 29, 2023
It's an entertaining book and well done. If it had been merely about the memoirist, it would have been worthwhile, for it's an interesting personal story. But the subtext introduces the stars of the book--these "natural" wines people keep drinking day after day in copious amounts, because, apparently, one can drink glass after glass because of their lower than usual alcohol content. Almost every page names one or two and tells us about who makes them by virtuously foregoing the usual manipulations of the industrial enterprise. The wines are described as delicious, innocent, honest, and unexpected. The protagonist writes about them, promotes them, and then learns to make them. As a reader I'm left to imagine them and that is just plain frustrating.
October 30, 2021
Thanks to Hachette for a gifted copy for honest review!
You Had Me at Pét-Nat is out now, and this book has me craving travel and seeking out natural wines.
This is definitely more memoir than detailed, dry information on wine, which made it very readable as you get to travel across continents with the author as she learns and writes about the natural wine world (while working out her identity and finding love along the way). I've never really thought much about natural wine before, and this has me curious about learning more, thanks to the author's passionate descriptions of the wine, the process, and the people behind it.
You Had Me at Pét-Nat is out now, and this book has me craving travel and seeking out natural wines.
This is definitely more memoir than detailed, dry information on wine, which made it very readable as you get to travel across continents with the author as she learns and writes about the natural wine world (while working out her identity and finding love along the way). I've never really thought much about natural wine before, and this has me curious about learning more, thanks to the author's passionate descriptions of the wine, the process, and the people behind it.
December 31, 2023
I enjoyed learning more about natural wine and reading about many places I’ve been in Brooklyn and Paris (and adding to my list of places to go in other countries). I also liked learning about the eccentric personalities in the industry. This aspect of the book reminded me of Kermit Lynch’s On the Wine Trail. At the same time, I didn’t love the way the author, wrote about her husband’s child from another marriage, his former relationship, or her own best friend. If I were any of these women, I would not love the way I was portrayed. Another reviewer said the author lacked self-awareness, and I understand that point especially as related to way the book discusses her stepdaughter.
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