Place a large, heavy-bottomed soup pot over MEDIUM HIGH heat. If the sausage is in casings, remove the casings and break up the sausage into the pan.
Continue to break it up into bite sized pieces as you brown it.
When the chorizo is browned and cooked through, about 6 minutes, use a slotted spoon to transfer the meat to a paper towel lined plate, leaving most of the fat in the pan.
Add the onions, carrots, and salt to the fat, toss to coat, and drop the heat to LOW.
Cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp tender, about 6 to 8 minutes. Do not brown the carrots and onions.
Stir in the garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Sprinkle the smoked paprika and cumin over the vegetables and stir for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
Pour in the wine, stir well, and let it cook for about 1 minute.
Stir in the remaining ingredients, including the browned chorizo, and raise the heat to MEDIUM HIGH just long enough to bring the soup to a boil. Drop the heat again to LOW and simmer, uncovered, until the lentils and potatoes are tender, about 40 minutes.
Remove the pan from the heat and remove and discard the bay leaves and bundle of thyme. if you used it.
If using the fresh parsley and cilantro, stir them in.
Serve immediately or store leftovers, tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months.