What is Corpinnat?
Corpinnat is a seal of excellence born in the heart of Penedès that brings together wineries committed to producing sparkling wines that authentically express a specific origin. It is governed by one of the most demanding regulations in the wine world.
To be considered Corpinnat, the wine must come from hand-harvested vineyards, with certified organic viticulture, using at least 90% native grape varieties, and aged for a minimum of 18 months.
At Recaredo, we go further: all our Corpinnats are made with historic Penedès varieties exclusively from our own vineyards, aged for at least 30 months with a natural cork stopper, preserving the wine’s integrity and elegance.
Types of Corpinnat: Styles and Ageing to Consider
Brut Nature and Brut
In the world of sparkling wine, classification depends on the sugar added after disgorgement:
- Brut Nature: no sugar added after disgorgement.
- Brut: up to 12 grams of sugar per litre.
At Recaredo, we produce 100% of our Corpinnats as Brut Nature, without dosage and refilling each bottle with a “sister” bottle from the same batch, after disgorging is always done manually and at the natural temperature of our cellars.
Minimum Ageing and Long Ageing
The minimum ageing for Corpinnat is 18 months, but each winery follows its own philosophy. At Recaredo, our minimum is 30 months and we often exceed it by far.
Our Recaredo Terrers 2020, for example, was released with 52 months of ageing on the lees, making it the shortest-aged Corpinnat in our range.
For our most exclusive family enotecas, ageing can exceed 25 years, achieving a complexity of nuances and a delicacy that only the passage of time can bring.
How to Identify a Good Corpinnat if You Don’t Know the EU Collective Brand
Quality Indicators on the Label
A genuine Corpinnat always carries this mention on its label. If it doesn’t, it’s not a Corpinnat. Currently, 16 wineries are part of the association: Gramona, Llopart, Nadal, Recaredo, Sabaté i Coca, Torelló, Huguet de Can Feixes, Júlia Bernet, Mas Candí, Can Descregut, Pardas, Bufadors, Cisteller, Viader, Mas de la Basserola, and, since July, also Celler Kripta.
To better understand a Corpinnat’s style, check the vintage, grape varieties used, and ageing time—three key indicators that will give you clues about its character.
Recommended Corpinnats for Every Occasion
Corpinnats are sparkling wines with a gastronomic soul. They pair perfectly with elaborate dishes but can also shine in more informal moments. The secret lies in the ageing, whether sugar has been added or not, and the varieties used.
Gastronomic Corpinnats
Long-aged Corpinnats are ideal for sophisticated pairings: baked fish, white meats, stews, aged cheeses, and many other refined dishes.
Pairing Suggestions with Recaredo Sparkling Wines
Recaredo Corpinnats offer a wide range of pairings to fully enjoy their personality. Recaredo Terrers 2020, aged 52 months on the lees, is fresh, citrusy, and mineral, ideal with delicate seafood dishes such as tuna tartare with avocado, oysters, scallop carpaccio, or sushi. Recaredo Intens Rosat 2021, aged over 30 months, combines freshness, red fruit, and a mineral background—perfect with duck magret and mushroom rice, semi-cured cheeses, beef carpaccio, or tuna tataki. Recaredo Subtil 2019, 100% Xarel·lo and aged long and carefully, offers creaminess and mineral nuances that pair beautifully with baked monkfish, seafood rice dishes, grilled lobster, or truffle pasta. Finally, Recaredo Serral del Vell 2018, made from old-vine Xarel·lo and Macabeo and aged for an extended period, stands out for its structure and elegance, making it ideal with roast chicken with prunes and pine nuts, venison loin with berry sauce, or raw milk aged cheeses.
Ultimately, choosing a Corpinnat means choosing a sparkling wine of origin, commitment, and authenticity. Whether to toast or to accompany a great meal, Corpinnat is synonymous with quality and terroir.
Discover more about Recaredo’s Corpinnats in our online store.