How Time, Terroir, and Biodynamics Shape World-Class Sparkling Wines in Penedès

About this episode

This episode explores how time, terroir, and biodynamics influence the production of world-class sparkling wines in Penedès through a conversation with winemaker Anna Lopez.

I am a sparkling wine lover. I think sparkling wine should be part of everyones repetoir; not for celebrations...for dinner, for lunch, for anytime. Certainly, one issue with sparkling wine is the price. One of the most popular Champagnes in the world, Veuve Clicquot, is $60.00/bottle! But then you see La Marca sparkling at $14.00/bottle. What is a consumer to do? One conversation with Anna Lopez of Gramora clears it all up. When you meet someone as devoted to their craft as Anna Lopez, you realize immediately that wine is more than a drink—it's a philosophy of patience, persistence, and place. This episode unfurls the fascinating story of how a tradition-bound winemaker from Gramona decided to trade the old guard for innovation, helping lead a sparkling wine revolution in Spain's Penedes region. Listeners are drawn into the drama behind the formation of Corpinnat, the new collective of family-run estates that broke away from the Cava appellation in order to protect integrity, promote organic farming, and give a voice to the land itself. Through an intimate and sometimes rebellious conversation, you'll come to understand why the geography under your feet matters as much as the…

People in this episode

Guest: Anna Lopez

Topics covered

• sparkling wine
• Penedès
• biodynamics
• terroir
• wine philosophy

Keywords

• Champagne
• Cava
• Corpinnat
• organic farming
• wine revolution

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Champagnes, Veuve Clicquot, La Marca, Corpinnat, Cava, Gramona

Places: Gramona, Spain, Penedes, Cava, Mediterranean

More episodes of Wine Talks with Paul K.

• Building Wine Experiences: Kerrin Laz on Napa, Innovation, and Giving Back · April 21, 2026 · 52 min
• Breaking Barriers: Millennials, Diversity, and the Future of Wine with Isis Daniels · April 16, 2026 · 1h 1m
• Independent Filmmaking and Wine: Chris McGilvray on Craft, Passion, and Perseverance · April 7, 2026 · 58 min
• From Ribera del Duero to Tokaj: The Global Journey of Vega Sicilia With Pablo Alvarez · April 2, 2026 · 46 min
• Beyond Classification: Château Quintus, Wine Passion, and Reimagining Saint-Émilion's Legacy: Nils Vaincot · March 26, 2026 · 54 min
• From Air Force Dreams to Napa Icons: Trevor Duling's Unexpected Wine Journey · March 24, 2026 · 54 min