Grape in focus
Fernão Pires: aromatic, supple and often underrated
Fernão Pires is Portugal’s most planted white grape. In Bairrada it is called Maria Gomes. It is aromatic, sometimes almost Muscat-like, and gives supple white wines, lovely sparkling wines and, with skin contact, surprisingly complex wines.
Fernão Pires at a glance
| Origin | Central Portugal |
|---|---|
| Other names | Maria Gomes in Bairrada |
| Main regions | Tejo, where it covers 37 percent of the vineyards, Bairrada (21 percent), Lisboa and Setúbal |
| Plantings | 10,854 ha (2025), Portugal’s largest white grape |
| In the vineyard | Productive and adaptable to many regions. Ripens early. |
| Taste | Citrus, orange blossom, rose and herbs, sometimes a Muscat note, gentle acidity |
| Styles | Dry white, sparkling, skin contact and in blends |
Read more about the other Portuguese grapes in our overview of Portuguese grape varieties.
From workhorse to flavour-maker
Fernão Pires yields heavily and adapts easily. For a long time it was therefore mainly used for large volumes of simple white wine. Yet with lower yields it gives wines with a distinctive, recognisable scent and decent freshness. In Tejo and Lisboa it is now taken much more seriously.
Maria Gomes and the sparkling wines of Bairrada
In Bairrada the grape is called Maria Gomes. Together with Bical and Arinto it forms the basis of the region’s sparkling wine, a tradition that goes back to the late nineteenth century. Maria Gomes brings the aroma, Bical and Arinto the freshness. The sparkling wines of Caves São João are a fine example.
Skin contact: Fernão Pires at its best?
Aromatic grapes often do well when the juice stays on the skins for a while. Fernão Pires is a good example: it gains texture, some grip and spicy notes. In our range you find it like this at Humus and Marinho in Lisboa, often together with Arinto.
What to eat with it?
Thanks to its aroma, Fernão Pires suits Asian cuisine: Thai fishcakes, sushi or a mild curry. It is also lovely with lemon chicken, bacalhau à Brás, asparagus or a salad with goat’s cheese. The sparkling wines of Bairrada are the classic partner for leitão, the region’s roast suckling pig.
Our wines with Fernão Pires
From Lisboa to Bairrada, often in a blend. Each bottle shows which grapes it is made from.
Lisboa
Bairrada
Alentejo
Other regions
Skin contact (orange)
Sparkling
Rosé
Red and palhete
Frequently asked questions about Fernão Pires
Is Fernão Pires the same as Maria Gomes?
Yes. In Bairrada the grape is called Maria Gomes, elsewhere in Portugal Fernão Pires.
Is Fernão Pires sweet?
No, most wines are dry. Its floral, sometimes Muscat-like aroma can make it seem sweeter than it is.
How long can you keep Fernão Pires?
Most wines are best young, within two years, when the aroma is at its peak. Skin-contact wines and good sparkling wines can keep longer.
Plantings: IVV, castas mais utilizadas 2025 (ivv.gov.pt). Background: The Oxford Companion to Wine, via JancisRobinson.com.