The white grape variety originates from Portugal. Synonyms are Camarate, Fernam Pires, Fernan Piriz, Fernão Pirão, Fernão Pires de Beco, Gaeiro, Gaieiro, Maria Gomes (second main name), Molinha, Molinho and Torrontés. Fernão Pires is a frequently occurring Portuguese family name. The grape variety name is presumably derived from some important but unknown personality whom it was intended to honour.
The exact origin is thought to be Bairrada, where there are several varieties of this grape. According to DNA analyses carried out in 2018, it comes from a presumably natural cross between Malvasia Fina x an unknown parent variety.
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