Being a little jet lagged, it didn't hit me right away, but by the time we got to the restaurant all I could think of was, "This chick - stick in one hand, cell phone in the other… boy can she drive!"

A little back road action, dark, narrow, windy roads through some small towns – look out world I've got Ms. Schumacher at the wheel! I'm still not sure who went faster that day; Severine or the British Airway pilots. Being Severine's co-pilot was much more exciting.

We arrived at Bella Vita, a very elegant restaurant tucked away in the quaint town of Carvoeiro about 15 -20 minutes (depending on who is driving) from the Amendoeira. I had the pleasure of meeting Nikki - another Oceanico Marketing Manager – when we arrived. Upon arrival I was a very tired and thirsty guy. I did not recognize anything on the wine list, so Nikki and I agreed to turn the task over to Severine. She came through with flying colors! Esporao Reserve was her choice, a silky smooth deep red, with an aroma of red berry and a hint of spice. Just what the doctor ordered…and it is available at the LCBO in Vintages for about $25.00.

Other that keeping me busier than a one arm paper hanger for the entire time I visited, I was fortunate enough to dine with this young lady and other Oceanico staff on all three evenings of my visit. I can see why such tasks would be assigned to her. She knows her restaurants and she knows her wines.

After a nonstop first full day, Mark Cookson, Oceanico Group's Managing Director, joined Severine and I for dinner at what may just be one of my most memorable dining experience ever. The choice of restaurants seemed to be a little bit of a collaboration of thoughts between Mark and Severine, and what a choice!!

Along the cobble stone streets of Lagos - a town that was founded in the mid 1400's - we arrived at Don Sebastiao Restaurante. I am not sure I really appreciated just where I was at the time - I was just glad to have a moment to sit and catch my breath.

Shortly after arriving, one Vitor Correia introduced himself as our server. We left the ordering of the wine to Severine, very confident from the selection of the night before that we were in good hands. Cartuxa was the wine of choice for the evening and again it did not disappoint. Available in Canada only through FWP Trading for around $43.00, although it wasn't nearly as much over there! (Blasted taxes….)

Vitor soon appeared carrying a large tray of fish; including what was to become my King Prawn appetizer that could have passed as the entree. No word of a lie, this thing must have been 10" long and 2" around. Being in Portugal and a seafood lover, there was no denying the King Prawn appetizer, but I left the rest of what I was going to have up to Vitor. Vitor, pointing to the sea bass twice the size of the prawn, suggested that as the entre. "Yikes!" I said as I looked over to Severine in dismay and for assistance. "I am going to have a King Prawn and maybe we should split the sea bass," she said. Ah yes there is a God, or in this case a goddess. What a meal!

Vitor and I were formally introduced, and I applauded him for his recommendation. I then suggested that while in Portugal, what better than to accompany a fine meal that a nice port? A grin came across the faces of both Vitor and Severine. Vitor left and came back with a set of keys and said, "Come with me."

We were off to the restaurant's main attraction - an underground, gated wine cellar that comes across as a treasure chest of wines and port dating back as far as 1715. Vitor handed Severine a flash light and said, "You've been here enough. Give the boys a tour while I find them a glass of port."