Sem Igual – Not Your Usual Vinho Verde

Sem Igual means “without equal”, a name that was chosen to define a Vinho Verde that is made different from the popular fizzy and sweet style. Since 1910, the Arrochela e Camizao family has been producing their distinctive style of Vinho Verde in the subregion of Amarante and Sousa.

Today, 4th generation winemaker Joao Camizao takes helm while continuing to preserve their tradition of creating an unconventional Vinho Verde.

What’s So Different About Sem Igual?

Literally, Vinho Verde translates to green wine. Vinho Verde is Portugal’s largest wine-growing region, spread across a swath of land in Northwest Portugal that stretches from the roaring Atlantic Coast in the west, to the Freita, Arada and Montemoru mountains to the east, down to the Douro river in the south and up to the Minho River in the north. 

The origin of the Vinho Verde name was derived from the natural characteristics of the region, which produce dense green foliage, which also contributes to the wine’s profile with freshness and lightness. Today the Vinho Verde region, occupying northwest Portugal, is one of the largest and oldest wine regions in the world.

Traditionally, Vinho Verde wines are usually made from a blend of native Portuguese grapes and released without being aged. They are often distinguished by their high acidity, low alcohol, and slight spritz. Vinho Verde wines were bottled so quickly after primary alcoholic fermentation that malolactic fermentation would occur in the bottle which causes the wine to develop a slightly sparkling texture. Steering away from the usual styles (and what his family did over the course of four generations), Joao got innovative and produced what we know as an ‘unconventional’ Vinho Verde – non-fizzy, full-bodied, extremely dry with great acidity and ageable.

Joao Camizao and his Unconventional Adventure

Joao Camizao actually came from a background in telecommunication and technology. He was even working in Bangalore, India for more than 2 years. Being able to be far from his country and living closely in a culture that is completely opposite to his own gave him the realisation and inspiration to come back and bring forward his family’s legacy.

With the belief that he could not only do something different but do it well, Joao and his wife Leila set out on a journey of discovery. The conviction was such that led them to be the first of their family to live on the farm in Meinedo, Lousada, in the Vale do Sousa sub-region – to learn and hone their skills. It was here that his first vintage was produced in 2012. 

The Creation of Sem Igual

All of these led to the creation of Sem Igual, which literally translates to “without equal”, a true reflection of Joao’s philosophy of innovation. This movement is aided by the favourable soils and climate of this region. There are about 10 hectares of mostly young vineyards planted in gravelly soils with a layer of granite between 220 and 280 meters deep. The traditional native grape varieties planted here are Arinto and Azal, both of which tend to thrive in the cooler conditions of the Minho Valley (where the DOC is located).

After the grapes are harvested into small boxes, they are brought to the winery where they undergo a short (8-10 days) fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Only minimal sulfur is added and they are not filtered. Joao works with each vintage meticulously, yet with minimal intervention and spontaneous intervention in the cellar. “The wine starts in the vineyard and ends in the mouth. It is in the vineyard and in the mouth that we focus” he says. Production quantities of their wines are tiny, and their goal has always been to grow at a healthy, sustainable pace while always remaining focused on their mission.

Check out Joao Camizao’s range of unparalleled and inventive Vinho Verdes in the link below!