Celebrating Santos Populares: The Perfect Wines to Pair with Sardines

June in Portugal is a time of vibrant celebrations, community gatherings, and mouth-watering culinary delights, all centred around the beloved Santos Populares festivals. These festivities honour the popular saints—Saint Anthony, Saint John, and Saint Peter—with lively street parties, traditional music, and an abundance of delicious food. The Santos Populares festivals are celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout Portugal, with Lisbon and Porto hosting some of the most renowned festivities. Streets are adorned with colourful decorations, including paper lanterns and streamers, while the air is filled with the aroma of grilling sardines. People gather to enjoy music, dance, and communal meals, creating a joyful and convivial atmosphere.

Saint Anthony (Santo António): Celebrated on the night of June 12th to 13th in Lisbon, where the city honours its patron saint with parades, music, and street parties.
Saint John (São João): Celebrated on the night of June 23rd to 24th, especially in Porto. The city comes alive with fireworks, concerts, and the tradition of hitting each other on the head with plastic hammers.
Saint Peter (São Pedro): Celebrated on the night of June 28th to 29th, with festivities occurring in various towns across Portugal, including Sintra and Évora.

Sardines, grilled to perfection over open flames, are the star of the show. They are typically served with a slice of bread or a simple salad, allowing their rich, smoky flavour to shine. To truly appreciate this culinary delight, selecting the right wine is essential. Here are some top wine choices to pair with sardines and other Santos Populares fare.

Vinho Verde: A Refreshing Companion

Vinho Verde, a light and effervescent wine from the Minho region in northern Portugal, is an excellent choice for pairing with sardines. Known for its crisp acidity and slight fizz, Vinho Verde complements the oily, rich texture of grilled sardines. Its bright citrus and green apple notes provide a refreshing contrast, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Recommended Vinho Verde Wines:

Quinta da Aveleda: This well-regarded Vinho Verde offers zesty lime and green apple flavours with a hint of minerality, making it a perfect match for sardines.
Casal Garcia: Light and slightly sparkling, Casal Garcia is a popular choice for its vibrant acidity and refreshing finish.

Alvarinho: Elevating the Sardine Experience

Alvarinho, also known as Albariño in Spain, is a varietal that thrives in the coastal regions of Portugal. This wine is characterised by its aromatic intensity and vibrant acidity, with flavours of peach, apricot, and citrus. The minerality and crispness of Alvarinho make it a superb pairing for grilled sardines, cutting through their richness and enhancing their smoky flavour.

Recommended Alvarinho Wines:

Soalheiro Alvarinho: A premium Alvarinho with complex aromas of citrus and tropical fruits, balanced by a lively acidity and a long, mineral finish.
Quinta de Soalheiro Alvarinho: This wine offers a perfect balance of fruit and acidity, with notes of peach and lime, and a refreshing minerality that pairs beautifully with sardines.

Rosé: A Versatile and Festive Choice

Rosé wines, with their vibrant pink hues and versatile flavour profiles, are a festive choice that pairs well with a variety of Santos Populares dishes. The crisp acidity and fruity character of rosé wines make them a great match for grilled sardines, as well as other festival favourites like grilled meats and salads.

Recommended Rosé Wines:

Adega de Pegões Syrah Rosé: This rosé offers a delightful blend of red berry and citrus flavours, with a refreshing acidity that pairs well with sardines.
Herdade do Esporão Rosé: Made from a blend of indigenous Portuguese grapes, this rosé features notes of strawberries, raspberries, and a touch of spice, making it a versatile choice for festival fare.

Douro Whites: Rich and Aromatic

While the Douro region is primarily known for its robust red wines and Ports, it also produces some exceptional white wines that pair wonderfully with sardines. Douro whites are typically richer and more full-bodied, with flavours of stone fruits, citrus, and floral notes. These wines can stand up to the bold flavours of grilled sardines while providing a refreshing contrast.

Recommended Douro White Wines:

Niepoort Redoma Branco: This wine offers a complex bouquet of citrus, white flowers, and a hint of oak, with a vibrant acidity that complements the smoky flavour of sardines.
Quinta do Crasto Branco: With its rich texture and flavours of peach, apricot, and citrus, this Douro white is a fantastic pairing for grilled sardines and other festival dishes.

Light Reds: Embracing Tradition

For those who prefer red wine, light-bodied reds can also be a good match for sardines and other Santos Populares fare. Wines made from the Baga or Castelão grapes, for example, offer bright acidity and red fruit flavours that can complement the smoky, oily nature of sardines without overpowering them.

Recommended Light Red Wines:

Luis Pato Baga: This light-bodied red from the Bairrada region offers vibrant red fruit flavours and a refreshing acidity that pairs well with sardines.
Casa de Mouraz Tinto: Made from a blend of indigenous Portuguese grapes, this wine is light and fruity, with a bright acidity that complements a variety of festival dishes.

Beyond Sardines: Pairing Wines with Other Festival Fare

While sardines are the highlight of Santos Populares, the festivals feature a wide range of other delicious foods, including chouriço (Portuguese sausage), bifanas (pork sandwiches), and a variety of seafood dishes. Here are some additional wine pairing suggestions for these festive foods:

Chouriço: The smoky, spicy flavours of grilled chouriço pair well with a robust red wine, such as a Douro red or an Alentejo blend.
Bifanas: These flavourful pork sandwiches are complemented by a crisp, fruity white wine, such as a Vinho Verde or a Douro white.
Seafood Dishes: For lighter seafood dishes, consider a crisp white wine like Alvarinho or a light rosé to enhance the flavours without overwhelming the palate.

Santos Populares is a time of joyous celebration, vibrant traditions, and delightful culinary experiences. Whether you prefer a crisp Vinho Verde, an aromatic Alvarinho, a versatile rosé, or a rich Douro white, there is a wine to suit you.