These baby sardines, or sardinillas, have been part of the Los Peperetes range since the beginning. The small sardines are selected when they are at their optimum biological point, with the right level of natural fat, then cleaned and prepared entirely by hand before being arranged individually in the tin. They are preserved simply in premium olive oil and salt, allowing the quality of the fish to take centre stage.
 
Tasting notes: Small, beautifully formed sardines with a tender, juicy texture and a rich but delicate flavour. The fish has a clean, fresh maritime character, with the olive oil adding richness without overpowering the sardines. There is a lovely balance between the natural fattiness of the fish and the clean, savoury finish.
 
Serving suggestions: An excellent tin to simply open and enjoy with crusty bread, particularly good with ripe fresh tomato and a little of the olive oil from the tin. They make an elegant addition to an aperitivo spread, or can be served over a simple salad, folded through warm potatoes or used in an empanada. For the full conservas experience, serve at room temperature and let the sardines come into their own before eating.
 
Wine match:
Australian: A crisp, dry Riesling
International: Albariño from Rías Baixas, Galicia
 
Los Peperetes
Los Peperetes is a small, family-run Galician cannery based in Carril, in the heart of the Rías Baixas. Founded by Jesús Lorenzo Crespo in 1991, the company grew from his early experiments making just 30 tins a day using a manual seaming machine. More than 30 years later, that emphasis on small-scale, hands-on production remains central to the business, with carefully selected fish and seafood prepared using traditional methods.