Rodel

Charles Désiré Rödel founded a fish cannery in Bordeaux in 1824, making Rödel one of the oldest tinned fish brands in existence and the first to supply the French Navy's general stores. The sardines were issued specifically to naval captains as a mark of distinction; sailors became the brand's first international ambassadors, selling tins at ports around the world. Now based in Brittany, Rödel still hand-packs vintage-dated sardines and recommends ageing each tin for at least six months, with the flavour continuing to develop for 18 months or more.