Who makes it?

Albet i Noya El Corral Cremat certainly has star quality. Indeed, it is a trophy winning fizz. What makes it even more special however, is that the producer. The Albet family are organic wine grower pioneers. They were the first in the Penedès wine region to produce organic wines over 40 years ago. They started conversion in 1978. This is hugely significant because as of 2025, all wines produced in the Catalunyan region of Penedès will be certified Organic. 

For more information on Penedès region, please read 'Why you should be drinking more Penedès wine!'

The family’s vineyards are in the Ordal Mountains area of the north east Spanish region. Penedès has a very long history producing Cava, or traditionally made Spanish wines. The family has been growing grapes for five generations. These mountains are rich in limestone soils which are well known to be associated with fine fizz. The vineyards sit around 400 metres in altitude and due to the aspect, get less sun than you might expect. This cool aspect allows the fruit to ripen slowly, retaining the acid and developing complexity.

Albet i Noya have also been part of the van guard of producers who have embraced selecting varieties of vines that have a high resistance to fungal infection. This then reduces the need for pesticide measures. Thus taking organic growing even further.

For more information as to how an organic wine is made or wines made without additional sulphur, please read ‘I always thought that wine was a natural product’.

In addition to being organic, their wines are all vegan friendly. The family make seven Classic Penedès wines and quite a number of still wines too. 

How do they make it?

The Albet i Noya El Corral Cremat has had time aplenty to mature. It is a traditionally made sparkling wine made solely from Xarel-lo. Therefore, it is made using the same method as Champagnes. While other Classic Penedès wines only have to have 15 months in the bottle before release, this wine is special. The El Corral spends around 10 years in the bottle.

As a Classic Penedès, the wine is certified organic as mentioned above. And the grapes must be owner grown and vinified. 

For more information about Xarel-lo please read: Xarel-lo : The grape with the X factor & why we love it!

What does it taste like?

In the glass the Albet i Noya El Corral Cremat is still a pale lemon. The wines aromas are intriguing and show layers of complexity from that extended lees ageing. Pastry and cinnamon spice provide a solid base for pineapple fruit studded with marzipan and orange peel. It is dry, and it is fuller in body. 

This delight lingers ever so long and finishes with more marzipan wrapped in pastry. While this might not be a zero dosage wine, it is certainly a low dosage wine. The residual sugar of the final wine sits between 2 – 3 g/l.

What to drink it with?

Bring out the main courses for this wine and don’t restrict it to just tapas or appetisers. Chicken wrapped in prosciutto and drenched in garlic butter, or even duck. Peking duck with pancakes would be great too. 

Cheese

This particular fizz is robust enough in flavour and style to match not only hard matured cheese such as Manchego, but I would even drink it with blue cheese that is is sitting atop a figue pain d’epices and chutney.

Quickie review « This is undoubtedly a prestigious fizz. Welcome to extended lees aged sparkling done Spanish style. »

Country of Origin:  Classic Penedès, Spain
Tasting Date: October 2023
Price:  UK £ 60 | €59 | CA$71 |
Drink: now –5+ years 
Needs food: no
Source: tasting

If you like Xarel-lo wines, why not check out:
Jean Leon Nativa Xarel-lo
Sumarroca Il-logic Xarel-lo
Llopart Clos del Fossils

Visit albetinoya for more.