Delighted to be back in Portugal, this time for a bit of a break with Fiona, sans enfants. My plucky parents are looking after our teenage boys. Good luck to them!

We’re staying in the Alentejo, at Malhadinha Nova’s country house and spa. Yes, it’s attached to the vineyard and winery of the same name, and it’s a beautiful place to chill for a few days, surrounded by some vines, some horses, some bulls and some black pigs.

Last time I visited here was back in 2005, when there was no hotel. The hotel is beautifully done, with elegant simplicity – luxury, but unstuffy and unpretentious. The pool is fantastic, and we’ve been making good use of it.

For lunch we shared a bottle of the Monte da Peceguina Branco 2010, which has lovely citrus and white peach fruit, with good acidity and just 12.5% alcohol, which is quite an achievement for this warm region. It went well with Serpa cheese, some firmly delicious Alentejo bread, and some pata negra ham. Now I really must stop blogging and get ready for dinner.