Cava DO & Corpinnat

1. What They Are

Catalonia in northeast Spain makes a lot of sparkling wine using the same method as Champagne (second fermentation in the bottle).
There are two main names you will see:

• Cava DO – the best-known Spanish sparkling wine
• Corpinnat – a newer, high-quality group of producers inside Penedès

Both make dry, refreshing sparkling wines, but they follow different rules.

2. Cava in Simple Terms

Cava is produced in several regions of Spain, although most comes from Penedès (near Barcelona).
It is made from local white grapes such as:

• Xarel·lo
• Macabeu
• Parellada

Cava can be:

• Light and fruity
• Aged and complex (Reserva / Gran Reserva)

Famous Cava producers include Codorníu, Freixenet, and Juvé & Camps.

3. What Makes Corpinnat Different

Corpinnat is made only in a special area in the centre of Penedès.
It has much stricter rules than Cava:

• 100% organic grapes
• 100% hand-picked
• Aged for at least 18 months (twice as long as basic Cava)
• Mostly very dry styles (Brut Nature)

Producers include Recaredo, Gramona, and Llopart.

Corpinnat wines tend to be:

• More savoury and mineral
• Longer-aged
• More complex in flavour

4. How They Taste

Cava

• Light, fruity, refreshing
• Flavours of lemon, apple, and white flowers
• Works well as an aperitif or with tapas

Corpinnat

• Drier, richer, and more flavourful
• Notes of citrus peel, herbs, toast, and nuts
• Feels more “wine-like” and structured

5. Cava vs. Champagne vs. Corpinnat (Simple Version)

6. Summary

• Cava = Spain’s classic sparkling wine, crisp and fruity.
• Corpinnat = high-quality sparkling from the heart of Penedès, always organic and long-aged.
• Both use the traditional method, and both are great with food or on their own.

Catalonia’s sparkling wines offer lots of choice, from everyday bottles to serious, complex cuvées.