Corpinat

Corpinat is a geographical area and sparkling wine appellation located in the northeastern part of Spain, in Catalonia, established in 2017. It encompasses vineyards in the Anoia and Segarra regions and follows stricter regulations than the broader Cava appellation, focusing on sustainable viticulture and hand-harvested, indigenous grape varieties. The term "Corpinat" is a combination of the words "cor" (heart in Catalan) and "pinat" (referring to Pinatell, a type of pine tree native to the region).

Corpinat was created by a group of Cava producers who needed to differentiate their high-quality, terroir-driven wines from the vast sea of mass-produced Cavas. Here are some of the prominent Corpinat producers:

1. Recaredo: One of the founding members of Corpinat, Recaredo is a biodynamic producer known for producing long-aged Brut Nature Cavas (now Corpinats) of remarkable complexity and depth. Their single-vineyard 'Recaredo Turó d’en Mota' is a benchmark of the style.

2. Gramona: Another founder of the Corpinat group, Gramona has a long history in the Penedès region and has always been a leader in long-aged, traditionally made sparkling wines. The 'Gramona III Lustros' and 'Gramona Enoteca' exemplify the winery's style.

3. Torelló: Established in 1395, Torelló is one of the oldest wineries in Penedès. Known for their commitment to quality and experimentation, they produce Corpinat wines that balance tradition with innovation.

4. Llopart: Dating back to 1385, Llopart is one of the oldest producers in the region. They've been producing traditional method sparkling wines since the late 19th century, and their 'Llopart Original 1887' pays homage to that long history.

5. Nadal: Nadal has been making traditional method sparkling wines since the mid-20th century. They're known for their Brut and Brut Nature wines, made from the traditional Cava grape varieties.

6. Sabaté i Coca: This winery, led by enologist Marcel Sabaté, is one of the smaller producers in the Corpinat group. They make a range of terroir-driven, single-vineyard Corpinat wines, such as the 'Sabaté i Coca Terroja' and the 'Sabaté i Coca Castellroig.'

7. Mas Candí: A relatively new winery founded by four young winemakers, Mas Candí was initially known for still wines but joined the Corpinat group in 2021. They make their 'Mas Candí Desig' Corpinat from biodynamically farmed vineyards.

8. Can Feixes: The most recent winery to join the Corpinat group, Can Feixes is located in the northernmost part of the Penedès region, where the cooler climate is ideal for sparkling wine production. Their 'Can Feixes Brut Nature Reserva' is known for its freshness and complexity.

While the Corpinat appellation is relatively new, its producers have long histories of making high-quality, traditional method sparkling wines. The creation of the Corpinat label is a testament to these producers' commitment to quality and terroir expression.