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IT Small Fish, Big Wines
Grilled with sea salt, marinated as escabeche or on crispy bread
The sardine is the underestimated star of Mediterranean cuisine: fatty enough for roasting aromas, delicate enough for fine marinades, intense enough for robust wines. From simple grilled fare to gourmet experience – with the right wine, the humble sardine becomes a feast.
The sardine has it tough: branded as tinned fish, it is often underestimated. Yet fresh grilled sardine is a Mediterranean classic – in Portugal, Spain and southern France a summer dish par excellence. And even the preserved variety is experiencing a renaissance among connoisseurs as vintage sardine.
The key to perfect wine pairing: The sardine is a fatty fish – it needs acidity as a counterbalance. Whether crisp rosé with grilled fish, elegant Champagne with escabeche or mineral Riesling with sardines on bread – the acidity cuts through the fat and brings balance.
From the Grill – Sea Salt, Lemon and Crisp Rosé
Sardinhas assadas – in Portugal a national treasure. The whole sardine goes on the grill, seasoned only with coarse sea salt. The skin becomes crispy, the fat drips into the embers, the smoke aromatises the flesh. Add a piece of bread, a lemon, and you’re done.
Here you need wines with freshness and bite: A Tuscan rosé brings the right acidity, a Burgundian Chardonnay the elegance. And if you prefer something more intense, reach for aged Barbaresco – the tannins harmonise surprisingly well with the roasting aromas of grilled sardine.
Il Corzanello Rosato IGT 2024
Sangiovese rosé from the hills of Florence. Corzano e Paterno works biodynamically – the rosato shows cherry, herbs and a crisp acidity that cuts through the fat of the sardine.
Mâcon-Chardonnay „Les Crays“ AOC 2023
The Bret Brothers demonstrate what Mâcon can achieve: mineral Chardonnay without oak, with tension and freshness. The chalky soil of the „Les Crays“ vineyard site gives the wine grip – perfect with grilled fish.
Cottá Barbaresco DOCG 2018
Red wine with fish? With oily fish like sardines it works. Sottimano’s Barbaresco brings ripe fruit and silky tannins – the roasted aromas of grilled sardine find an equal partner here.
Marinated – Escabeche, Vintage Sardines and Noble Wines
Sardine Escabeche – marinated in vinegar and olive oil, with onions, bay leaf and saffron. A technique stemming from Arab cuisine that transforms the sardine into a gourmet experience. Or vintage sardines: aged in the tin like a great wine, they become a collector’s item.
These complex preparations demand multi-layered wines: a vermouth brings its own herbal notes, a Grand Cru Riesling the necessary structure, an aged Champagne the elegance. Here delicacy meets delicacy.
Spektra 2022
An unusual marriage: Blaufränkisch and Welschriesling in one bottle. The Nittnaus siblings ferment this wine together – fruity, spicy, with subtle tannin notes. Perfect with oily escabeche.
Vermouth 2023 (500ml)
Francesco Leanza of Salicutti also makes vermouth – from his own Sangiovese, with herbs from the garden. The bitterness and herbal notes perfectly mirror the escabeche aromas.
Quattuor IV Extra Brut
Four forgotten Champagne grape varieties in one cuvée: Arbane, Petit Meslier, Blanc Vrai and Fromenteau. Drappier preserves historical heritage – the result is complex, spicy, unique. A Champagne for explorers and vintage sardines.
On Bread & Pasta – Rillettes, Crostini and Sparkling Wine
Sardine Rillettes on toasted bread, Crostini with fresh sardine, Pasta con le Sarde – Sicily’s answer to spaghetti. Here the sardine becomes part of a larger whole, its intensity softened by carbohydrates.
Sparkling wine is the first choice here: the bubbles cut through the fat, the acidity refreshes the palate. Whether Italian Metodo Classico, Catalan Ancestral or Piedmontese Barbaresco – the variety of preparations allows for experimentation.
Grauburgunder 2023
From Kaiserstuhl, the extinct volcano in Baden. Klaus Vorgrimmler produces Grauburgunder with depth – the volcanic minerality gives the wine tension, the creamy texture pairs beautifully with sardine rillettes.
Athénaïs AmalGamay VdF 2022
Gamay from Chablis – yes, it exists! Athénaïs de Béru produces this light, juicy red with cherry and herbal notes. Lightly chilled, it’s a surprisingly good partner for crostini with sardines.
Currá Barbaresco DOCG 2014
Ten years of ageing have given this Barbaresco silk and velvet. The single vineyard site Currá is one of Sottimano’s finest. With Pasta con le Sarde and its sweet raisins, an unexpected yet brilliant pairing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which wine pairs with grilled sardines?
Grilled sardines pair well with wines that offer freshness and acidity: a crisp Rosé from Tuscany, a mineral Mâcon-Chardonnay or, surprisingly, a mature Barbaresco – the tannins harmonise beautifully with the roasted aromas.
What are vintage sardines?
Vintage sardines (Millésimées) are sardines preserved in olive oil that, like wine, improve with age. They are produced in small quantities, labelled with a vintage and sought after by collectors. After several years of maturation, they develop complex, buttery aromas.
Does red wine pair with sardines?
Yes, red wine works well with oily fish like sardines. The key is that the wine should not be too tannic – mature Nebbiolo wines such as Barbaresco or light Pinot Noirs are excellent choices, particularly with grilled or heavily spiced sardines.
What is sardine escabeche?
Escabeche is a marinade made from vinegar, olive oil, onions and spices such as saffron and bay leaf. The technique originates from Arab cuisine and preserves the fish in an elegant manner. Sardine escabeche is a Spanish speciality, served cold.
Which wine pairs with Pasta con le Sarde?
The Sicilian Pasta con le Sarde with wild fennel, raisins and pine nuts calls for wines with character: a sparkling wine cuts through the oil, a mature red wine complements the sweet raisins. A robust white wine from Sicily also works wonderfully.
Discover all wines to pair with sardines
This selection shows only a portion of our recommendations. In our shop you will find further wines that pair with sardines and other small fish – from simple grilling wines to Champagne for special occasions.
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