This white is a blend of mostly Fernão Pires, the local white grape 'hero', blended with some Arinto for depth and body. It's a fresh, grassy, tropical white, with some Sauvignon Blanc overtones, but more delicate. There's a gentle florality to it, which is backed up by zesty acidity and wonderful persistence. Delicious stuff.

Origin: Portugal Mainly Grown In: Portugal and very small amounts in South Africa Key Facts: Fernão Pires is yet another grape variety worth knowing about when it comes to the diverse range of indigenous grapes and wines of Portugal. Better suited to the warmer climes of the central and southern parts of the country; care needs to be taken with this grape as it has a tendency to over-crop, which can at times lead to dilution of flavour and concentration in wine. However, when it is treated with respect this grape variety is capable of producing excellent white wine with stunning aromatic complexity. Like so many other grapes in Portugal, Fernão Pires can often be found alongside a host of other grape varieties both in the vineyard and in the bottle, in particular Arinto, one of Portugal’s most prolific white grapes. Fun Fact: As with many of the grapes in Portugal, Fernão Pires also goes by another name: Maria Gomes.