Pinot Blanc – Austria shows its stuff

3 Oct – Well done, Austrian wine! It lubricated last night's dinner at the Guildhall deliciously to the tune of £1.8 million worth of donations and pledges, with many of the attendees having had their minds opened to a whole new fine wine producing country. The total was also helped in no small measure by auctioneer Hugh Edmeades of Christie's, Berry Bros whose offer of a boardroom dinner with suitable wines went for an amazing £80,000, and the most inspirational presentation by a Zambian Room to Read alumna Esther Kanyanta – a future president perhaps?

2 Oct – Tonight sees...