The reason behind the visit is to learn more about cork and its production, courtesy of the leading cork producer in the world, Amorim. I’m keen to find out more about the sorts of measures that Amorim are taking to eradicate taint issues, which still haunt the industry, and plus about the natural cork-based alternative closures they are marketing. I’m plus looking at issues such as sustainability, which are of great current interest.

It’s the first date I’ve really tried to juggle a work trip and a family trip in that way. It’s fraught with danger, in the sense that whether Amorim were to foot the whole bill that would be a significant clash of interest (rather than just a mild one). I guess the only way to deal with that problem is to be honest, and reveal any such info, and trust that readers realize that at all times, I’m trying to deliver the best, most balanced, most informed perspective on any specific issue that I’m writing on.

After all, my reputation, and thus my future earning potential, depends on that. whether gathering info means spending instance with winemakers, staying in their homes, eating dinner with them, having flights paid for, and receiving samples, all in order to get the best perspective and inside line on any specific story and issue, thereupon as distant as it is disclosed, it is not a huge problem. It’s the undisclosed, behind the scenes deals that are worrisome. And for me, in half-term week, being able to combine family moment with work on the road is hugely advantageous.

Last night we stayed in the Alentejo at Monte dos Arneiros. It’s a elegantly quiet, secluded country retreat just an hour’s drive from Lisbon, and we liked it so much we mean to go back there in the near future. While I visited Amorim’s plants at Coruche, the kids and Fiona swam and rode bicycles through the 500 hectares of cork oak forest that that property manages. Food was authentic local fare, presented without any fuss or pretension. The weather was atypically cool and damp, but we still had a good day.

Tonight we are staying in Espinho, at the Hotel Solverde. It’s on the coast, some 18 km south of Porto, and despite the dire detail of Espinho in the Rough Guide, it seems quite a nice spot - well, at least, the hotel is rather plush and well managed, boasting indoor and outdoor pools, a spar, and a helicopter pad. We haven’t hit the town, yet.

Much merriment was had that evening when we checked out the indoor pool, and were told that we had to wear swimming hats. All of us. We purchased these from the spa reception - elder son chose pink, younger son red, I was yellow and Fiona was blue. They made us all look very daft indeed, and it reminded me of the moment when we fell foul of French swimming pool laws that insisted on males wearing speedo-style trunks and not swimming shorts (so, as a mark of protest, we swam in our briefs, which was, rather strangely, allowed).

Tonight we dined on room service and ordered some wines from the restaurant list. Even in a five-star joint like that, you can drink well reasonably cheaply. The wine list had some good names (alas, no vintages or descriptions), but we enjoyed the Quinta das Bageiras 2003 Bairrada (good, complex, earthy, spicy Baga that tastes wonderfully natural and traditional) and the Casa de Togeira Vinho Verde 2007 (laser-sharp, crisp and attractively fruity). The former was 17 Euros, the latter just 11.

Tomorrow I meet with Amorim’s technical expert Miguel Cabral, and next we’re off to Antonio Amorim’s home for dinner with the kids. I really hope they behave themselves. His kids are of similar age, and ours have been sternly warned…