Fernão Pires - What's The Grape
Fernão Pires is also known as Maria Gomes
Origin:
Fernão Pires is a cross between Malvasia Fina and an unknown grape variety.
It is grown extensively throughout Portugal, and is especially important in Tejo, Lisboa and Bairrada where it is called Maria Gomes.
source: winesofportugal.com
Also known as:
The grape is also known as Maria Gomes, Camarate, Fernam Pires, Fernan Piriz, Fernão Pirão, Fernão Pires do Beco, Gaeiro, Gaieiro, and Molinha.
Plantings:
The grape is particularly important in Tejo (35.3% of Portugal's plantings), Beira Atlântico (26%), and Lisboa (16.7%) in Portugal.
Minor plantings can be found in South Africa, Australia and California.
In South Africa, it was initially grown for brandy production, with some of the last and oldest blocks (30 something years old) found in the Breede River Valley. It was first bottled in South Africa by Van Loveren in 1982.
Portugal:
Tejo, Beira Atlântico (including Barreida), Lisboa
South Africa:
Robertson, Northern Cape & Olifants River
Australia:
Riverland
Grape characteristics:
The variety is early budding and early ripening. It is capable of producing high-yielding vines due to its vigorous growth, and prefers fertile soils. Fernão Pires is sensitive to oidium/powdery mildew so it is best suited to warm to hot regions. However, it is also very sensitive to drought stress, resulting in shrunken berries. Due to its early ripening it should be harvested early before it loses acidity and freshness. In the vineyard you'll note medium sized bunches with oval shaped green yellow berries. The colour mutation with pink berries is called Fernão Pires Rosado.
In the bottle:
The grape can be found as dry, single varietal expressions, but its lower acidity means it is often blended with other grapes such as Arinto (and sometimes Moscatel) in Portugal. It can produce sparkling wines, sweet wines if harvested late, as well as can be used for distillation.
An aromatic, light-to-medium bodied, with low-to-medium acidity (that can tend towards flabby in hot climates), and alcohol that can reach the higher end of medium. The wines, when well made, are capable of intense aromatic complexity. Florals such as honeysuckle, and orange blossoms. Citrus such as citronella, lemon, lime, and oranges. Stone fruits and tropical fruits. Some wines display honey and/or mineral notes. As well as light spices such as cloves and nutmeg.
Ageing:
Drink now, not generally suitable for ageing. However, if the grapes aren't picked when overripe and are barrel aged, the best examples are capable of bottle ageing.
Wine reviews:
BlankBottle Kortpad Kaaptoe 2019
Pale gold in colour with a medium nose of pretty honeysuckles and freesias, mango, peach, honey, petrichor, and a touch of citrus scented floor wax.
There’s some RS, so I’m calling this off dry? Medium- bodied, medium- acidity, a very long finish of mango, honey, watered down piña colada and fennel. The acidity is lacking (we’re a warm region)…but it’s still so pretty. One thing that I missed was the spices that I’ve learned are typical for this grape….it’s a stretch to mention possible cinnamon and nutmeg…a biiiiig stretch.
Pairing suggestions:
Try pairing these wines with seafood, salads, or white meats. Because this reminds me of Muscat or Gewürztraminer, I'd choose a mild curry, a salad tossed with fruits, pork loin marinated with apricot chutney or a hearty pork stew, chicken served with a mango salsa, or caramelised onion tart with a light rocket salad sprinkled with pine nuts.
What's the Grape Series: Crouchen Blanc, Colombard
