Born from the Craft of Disgorging

Penedès, near Barcelona, has made traditional-method sparkling wine since the late 19th century. In 1924, Josep Mata Capellades, who had worked as a professional disgorger, built a cellar beneath his home in Sant Sadurní d'Anoia and began making his own wine. He named it Recaredo after his father, Recaredo Mata Figueras. Three generations later, the Mata family still runs the winery with the same artisan values. For anyone looking to buy Spanish sparkling wine online beyond everyday Cava, Recaredo is a revelation.

Corpinnat: A New Standard for Penedès

Recaredo is a founding member of Corpinnat, a group of producers inspired by Champagne's grower movement. Corpinnat wines must come from the historic heart of Penedès, from organic grapes harvested by hand, and be aged for long periods. Recaredo's own vineyards all lie close to the cellar on calcareous soils in a hilly Mediterranean landscape overlooked by the Montserrat mountains.

Biodynamic, Zero Dosage, Long Aging

Recaredo farms only its own estate vineyards and is certified biodynamic, among the earliest sparkling producers in Penedès to make that commitment. Every wine is a vintage Brut Nature, with no added sugar. The wines age in bottle under natural cork for long periods and are disgorged by hand, an increasingly rare practice. Production is deliberately limited to put quality first.

Intens Rosat

The Intens Rosat is made mostly from Monastrell (Mourvèdre) with a smaller share of Garnatxa Negra, grown in two family vineyards. It spends more than two years in bottle on its lees. The result is a deep, vivid rosé with wild berries, cherry, Mediterranean herbs, violets and spice, completely dry and savory, with fine bubbles and a gastronomic, food-loving character. It is the color and intensity of the Mediterranean in a glass.

Why Recaredo Matters Today

Recaredo shows that Spanish sparkling wine can stand beside the world's best, especially when it is grown biodynamically and given time. For customers of Harvest Wine Shop San Diego, the Intens Rosat is a distinctive, artisanal sparkling rosé made for dinner as much as for celebrating.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What is Recaredo known for?

Long-aged, biodynamic Brut Nature sparkling wines from its own vineyards in Penedès.

2. What is Corpinnat?

A group of Penedès producers making organic, estate-grown, hand-harvested and long-aged sparkling wines from the heart of the region. Recaredo is a founding member.

3. Is Recaredo a Cava?

Recaredo left the Cava DO and now labels its wines as Corpinnat, though they are made by the same traditional method.

4. What grapes are in Intens Rosat?

Mostly Monastrell with a smaller share of Garnatxa Negra. Proportions vary by vintage.

5. What does "Brut Nature" mean?

No sugar is added after the second fermentation. It is the driest style of sparkling wine.

6. Is Recaredo biodynamic?

Yes. The estate vineyards are certified biodynamic.

7. How long is Intens Rosat aged?

More than two years on its lees in bottle before release.

8. Why natural cork during aging?

Recaredo ages its wines under natural cork rather than crown caps, a traditional practice it believes preserves the wines' character.

9. What does it taste like?

Wild berries, cherry, Mediterranean herbs, violets and spice, completely dry with fine bubbles.

10. What food pairs with Recaredo Intens Rosat?

• Spanish: Jamón ibérico, paella, grilled octopus
  
• Grilled: Lamb chops, chicken, sausages
  
• Seafood: Tuna, salmon, prawns
  
• Cheese: Manchego, aged sheep's milk cheese
  

11. Who runs Recaredo today?

The third generation of the Mata family.

12. Where is Sant Sadurní d'Anoia?

In Penedès, west of Barcelona in Catalonia, the historic capital of Spanish sparkling wine.

13. How should I serve it?

Chill to about 45 to 50°F and serve in a white wine glass.

14. Where can I buy Recaredo online?

You can buy it at Harvest Wine Shop San Diego, specializing in biodynamic and artisanal sparkling wine, with shipping to California and select states.