João Camizão Vinho Verde Sem Mal 2018

Sem Mal is a 70% Azal and 30% Arinto blend from the Sousa subregion of Vinho Verde, grown on granite and gravel soils at 200 to 300 meters elevation in Meinedo, Lousada. Vines range from 4 to 70+ years old, trained on both the traditional pergola (ramada) system and ascending unilateral cord. The grapes are hand-harvested, whole-bunch pressed, and fermented at 17°C in stainless steel tanks for 8 to 10 days.

What makes Sem Mal distinct from other Vinho Verde is the winemaking method: after fermentation, the wine is racked and bottled without filtration, allowing malolactic fermentation to complete in the bottle. This generates natural CO2 that keeps the wine fresh and eliminates the need for added sulfites. The result is a slightly fizzy, lightly cloudy white with 1.5 g/L residual sugar and 8.2 g/L total acidity.

The name is a double entendre: colloquially 'sem mal' means 'no harm,' but it also references the winemaking method, 'no mal(ic) acid,' since the malic acid converts during in-bottle MLF. No sulfites are added at any stage. The wine comes in at approximately 11% ABV, unfiltered, with only trace sulfur levels.

Pair with briny seafood, shellfish, fresh cheeses, or fried small fish. Gently invert the bottle before pouring to redistribute the fine sediment. Serve well chilled at 45 to 48°F.