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The empty wallet

Money may be too tight to mention, but there are deals to be had if you know where to look for them

Sat Mar 17 2012 - 00:00

Money may be too tight to mention, but there are deals to be had if you know where to look for them. SIMON TIERNEYfind ways to live well with less cash

WINE AND COFFEE

A sommelier once advised me to choose a particular vintage to go with my lamb. I asked him why. This elicited a deluge of information that I wasn’t quite prepared for. He told me it was dense yet delicate, it had hints of plum and rosemary, a chocolatey undertone and a delightful aftertaste of damp soil and used leather. With those ingredients, I felt like I could ditch the food. This wine was going to be a meal in itself. If you are interested in learning more about wine, I have sourced some great wine tastings, listed below.

For coffee lovers there are free deals to be grabbed in two very nice cafes. Even when money is tight, surely it is still worth buying decent coffee rather than resorting to the jar of instant. There is something uncompromisingly miserable about a mug of powder coffee. Or, as Blackadder asks Mrs Miggins, “Can I have a cup of your finest hot water with some brown grit in it?”

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COFFEE

One of my favourite cafes in Dublin is Foodgame (10 South Lotts Rd, Ringsend, Dublin 4, tel: 01-2815002). The proprietor, Ross Staunton, is giving away a free cup of coffee to the first 50 people to quote “Foodgame Coffee Offer”. The offer starts today. From April 16th-20th, KC Peaches (28/29 Nassau Street, Dublin 2, Tel: 01-6336872) is offering the first five coffees served every morning for free (Nassau Street branch only). So if you’re an early bird on your way to work, or a student racing for that 9am lecture across the road in Trinity, this offer is for you.

WINE

There are regular tastings in Ely Bar and Brasserie (IFSC, Dublin 1, tel: 01-6768986). On April 19th there will be a tutored tasting of six wines, Sauvignon Blanc – From France to New Zealand. The event also includes dinner to complement the wines being tasted. Ely is offering two free tickets to this event, normally €35 each. To avail of this, simply email wineclub@elywinebar.com and quote “Ely Wine Club Offer”. The recipients will receive one free ticket each.

KC Peaches also has a wine bar at its Nassau Street location and is offering some free tickets to the Spanish wine tasting on March 27th, 7pm. The first three people to apply by email and quote “KC Peaches Wine Tasting Offer” in the subject line will receive one ticket each gratis. Email thekitchen@kcpeaches.com.

Wine Australia is running a Riesling tasting in the wine cellar at Fallon Byrne (11-17 Exchequer Street, Dublin 2, tel: 01-4721012) on May 15th, 7-9pm. There are two free pairs of tickets available to the first people to email ireland@wineaustralia.com, with Australian Wine Riesling Tasting in the subject line.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST . ..

"How to turn your excess fruit and veg into wine" is a fantastic guide in The Ecologist ( theecologist.org) which gives detailed instructions on making your own wine from pears, marrows and courgettes. I understand that this sounds dodgy, but not all home brew has to taste like old socks. Just give it a little time, love and attention. Plus, if ever there was a recipe for booze on the cheap . . .

If you have details of free services/activities/ products, email emptywallet@irishtimes.com. Upcoming topics include music and comedy