This Portuguese native is the white most planted grape, especially in the Ribatejo area. In Bairrada, Fernão Pires is known as Maria Gomes, and is the most familiar white grape variety.

The best wines made from the grape exhibit excellent fruit character and strong aromatics, sometimes suggestive of pepper. Fernao Pires can be quite versatile, often used to produce flavorful dry, sweet and sparkling wines.

The grape is also widely grown in South Africa.