Celler Pardas’ “Hermos” is the epitome of modern sparkling wine production in Spain – intensely mineral-driven, austere and elegantly compact in structure. For anyone who doesn’t think they like Cava, this is also the wine that will almost definitely change their mind. Pardas belongs to the Corpinnat group of producers who broke off from DO Cava in recent years as a protest centered around quality and terroir. The two main arguments of the group were that the best sparkling wine in Spain comes from Penedes, in Catalunya just south of Barcelona (DO Cava permits winemaking in several regions spread across Spain, not just Penedes), and that the vinfication and aging requirements of DO Cava were not stringent enough to compete with the best sparkling wines in the world. In short, these splinter Cava producers believed in the quality and potential of top-shelf Cava and so they came together to form a new label reflective of their commitment to quality. Cellar Pardas is a newer member of the Corpinnat organization, but their contribution to the category undeniably reflects the standards to which the group is committed. I hate to make comparisons to Champagne, but the “Hermos” could easily be mistaken for a Brut Nature Champagne – similarly lean and fresh on the palate, the dominant notes are of Granny Smith apple, lemon zest and button mushroom, all framed by intense minerality and a subtle turned earth note. This is an eye-opening wine that showcases the potential of Penedes and highlights exactly why Corpinnat exists.

I love honest sparkling wines that don’t try to be anything but themselves. While most others posture and preen, the 2020 Celler Pardas “Hermós” Brut Nature Corpinnat shows up to the dinner party in sexy black jeans, black boots, a tuxedo shirt, and a black leather jacket—looking like a million bucks. Soft, luxe, and creamy on the palate, it offers notes of quince, pear, lemon verbena, and amber honey—dry without being austere. It’s gorgeous and unusual in the most satisfying ways. ¡Viva la diferencia!

Precise and mineral driven, this Brut Nature opens with aromas of green apple, citrus peel, and subtle brioche from extended aging. The palate is bright and sharply defined, with fine mousse, vibrant acidity, and excellent tension throughout. Zero dosage highlights the wine's purity, allowing crisp orchard fruit and mineral notes of carry the finish. A focused terroir-driven Corpinnat emphasizing structure, precision, and long lees complexity.