Vintage Sardines Lulu – 2022

Lulu 2022 Vintage Sardines, mellow and aged with a flamenco motif

The Lulu 2022 vintage sardines from La Perle des Dieux are sardines in extra virgin olive oil from the Vendée, caught at the end of the season and aged in the tin. A vintage on its way to full maturity, already mellow and soft – in a collector's tin full of flamenco.

Lulu 2022 vintage sardines are aged sardines in olive oil by La Perle des Dieux from Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie on the Vendée coast. Caught at the end of the season when the sardines have reached about 12% fat content and confited in the tin ever since – the 2022 vintage has already been aging for a good four years and is showing lovely roundness.

Already mellow, with gentle depth

A good four years in the tin have turned the 2022 vintage into a "fondant": the meat is soft, the aroma gentle and mellow.

The rugged freshness of very young vintages has already given way; the oil surrounding the fish has made it supple. Mild, nutty, with a fine note of salt – and the aging process is not yet over; every year on the shelf makes it rounder.

With pan con tomate and a glass of Fino

Fitting for the flamenco theme on the tin: sardines on toasted bread with crushed tomato, a drizzle of olive oil, and a pinch of sea salt.

Pair this with a well-chilled Fino or Manzanilla, just like they do in Seville. A crisp green salad or grilled bell peppers also make great accompaniments. You can find more ideas in our sardines in olive oil collection.

If you want to let the vintage age further: turn the tin every 6 months so that the oil coats the fish from all sides. Stored in a cool, dark place, the 2022 vintage will become finer year after year.

Two painters, a woman's perspective

La Perle des Dieux is probably the most feminine cannery in the industry – founded in 2005 by Claudie Vardelle, who came from the Parisian fashion world.

Together with Philippe Gendreau, whose family has been producing tinned fish for four generations, she decided against images of nets and fishermen on the tins, opting instead for the artistic touch of young painters. Caught fresh, the sardines are hand-cleaned and packed within 48 hours. Two series define their reputation: Mademoiselle Perle by Delphine Cossais and Lulu by the painter Coralie Joulin, named after factory worker Lucienne and her over forty years of service.

The 2022 motif is titled "Le Flamenco de Séville": after the Venice Carnival, Lulu has traveled on to Spain and is now dancing with a fan to the rhythm of flamenco. Each vintage is a new journey – this is how the vintage sardines from La Perle des Dieux become collector's items. The sister series is available as Mademoiselle Perle.

Contents 115 g – Drained weight 86.3 g