Join me for my new virtual wine tastings on Zoom!

A new benefit to becoming a paid subscriber that I think you’re going to love

First of all a warm welcome to all those of you who have signed up in the past week. Goodness knows where you’ve all come from but there’s been a deluge of new subscribers! I don’t know whether it’s had anything to do with being listed as one of the Code Hospitality’s Women of the Year (note how I cunningly slipped that in) but it’s great to see you anyway. And THANKYOU

It’s also coming up to the first anniversary of Eat This, Drink That so I thought it would be worth clarifying what you get as a free and paid subscriber. Cos it’s evolved along the way as these things do. (And, to celebrate, there’s a bit of a treat for you too …)

I realise there are many of you who just signed up to support me and my writing for which I’m truly grateful. The idea of Substack - which is pure genius really - is to enable readers to support the writers they like by financing their work directly.

And the idea of ETDT  is to draw on my experience of over 30 years writing about food and wine. to help you eat and drink more satisfyingly, gratifyingly and enjoyably.

You don’t have to pay obviously - you’ll hear from me anyway but all the most useful (and hopefully fun) content is for those of you who have been generous enough to make a contribution towards my work.

FREE SUBSCRIBERS

There’s no set formula as to what you get as a free subscriber except that you should hear from me once a week unless I’m travelling. Basically I try and mix it up but the sort of thing you can expect is:

• News and opinion pieces like my recent post on why cookbook recipes don’t always work

• So you think you don’t like … posts to help you learn to love the ingredients and drinks you struggle with. Like mushrooms and chardonnay.

• Guest posts and cross posts from other writers I rate

• and a monthly update on my website matchingfoodandwine.com including the latest competition so if you don’t want to miss out on that keep signed up! 

PAID SUBSCRIBERS

You obviously get the free posts too but if you’re a paid subscriber you get

• All my latest wine, recipe, restaurant and travel recommendations - an exclusive weekly insight into my life in food and wine all bundled into the Friday 5 (See my recent trip to New York)

• Articles on improving your cooking and wine knowledge like this post on how to cook perfect fluffy rice and make much better mayonnaise than Hellmann’s

• Cookbook giveaways and discounts like the current one on Extract coffee

• and a brand new benefit – virtual wine nights! Read on…

Let’s hang out together over a glass of wine …

I thought it would be fun if we actually got together occasionally and talked wine. Almost like we were in a wine bar but it’ll have to be on Zoom which obviously means you can join from anywhere in the world. (I appreciate that may mean some of you may have to start drinking at breakfast but you could always just listen in!).

I’m going to call it Bring a Bottle and each month we’ll have a different theme. Could be a country (maybe not France which is a bit too vast), could be a grape variety, could be a type or style of wine like rosé or sparkling wine.

Anyway I thought we might kick off with pinot noir from 6-7pm GMT on Wednesday April 12th

The idea is that I’ll talk a little bit about the wine and what’s in my glass (I’ll obviously bring a bottle too) and then I’ll get you to chip in about what you’re drinking and what you think of it. (You do NOT have to offer an expert opinion - just share what you like about it!) Maybe it would help if I gave you a few suggestions in advance? Let me know.

Bring a snack or even your supper if you feel like it. We can - and should - talk about food that would go with that kind of wine too. (In the case of pinot noir here are some of my favourite pairings.)

We’ll regard the first session as a trial and see how we get on. What time and day of the week suits people best. What sort of wines - or even spirits - you’d like us to taste. (How about a GIN or a G & T night?! ) How often? I’m thinking monthly to begin with but this is all about you and what you’d like to talk about.

I know this is a lot of information to take in so if you lose track of this post and need reminding you’ll find a resume of the benefits on the About page or if you see the message ‘upgrade to paid’ (which hopefully having read all this you might feel inclined to do). Especially as …. ta daaaa!

There’s a sale to celebrate my anniversary!

Which is worth taking advantage of as prices will rise as of next week to £42 a year (£3.50 a month) for an annual subscription or £4.50 a month for a monthly one which brings me more into line with other Substacks and which I hope you’ll feel is not unreasonable.

Anyway if you join now you can get 25% off an annual subscription plus the chance to join me for my first wine night!

Hope to see you there!

Fi x