The white grape variety originates from Portugal. Synonyms are Terrantez and Torrontes Portgues. The parentage is unknown. It must not be confused with other Terrantez varieties such as, among others, the Folgasão variety (with synonym Terrantez da Madeira). It is the "real" Terrantez variety, which used to be widespread in Madeira and the basis for this famous dessert wine. However, stocks were drastically reduced by phylloxera in the last third of the 19th century. The late-ripening vine is susceptible to fungi such as powdery mildew and botrytis. It yields white wines with roasted coffee aroma and ageing potential. There are still bottles from the 18th and 19th centuries that fetch the highest prices at auction. A Terrantez Madeira from the 1795 vintage produced by Barbeito became famous. The almost extinct variety was revived and cultivated in small quantities in the centre and north of Portugal and in the Azores. In 2016, 11 hectares of vines were designated (Kym Anderson statistics).
For me, Lexicon from wein.plus is the most comprehensive and best source of information about wine currently available.
Egon Mark
Diplom-Sommelier, Weinakademiker und Weinberater, Volders (Österreich)