Connétable

One of the oldest sardine canneries in the world. Douarnenez, Brittany, established 1853. Hand-gutted, briefly fried, packed into the red tin at peak summer fat.

brittany douarnenez oldest-cannery vintage de-garde fried

The process hasn’t changed meaningfully in 170 years because it doesn’t need to.

Their de garde vintage line, matured a minimum of 12 months and aged like wine, is a different product from the standard tin. The standard “À l’Ancienne” is where to start. The vintage is where to go once you understand what time does to a sardine.

Available in the US through Le Tablier Bleu and Amazon.