9 March

Call My Wine Bluff Dinner raises over £100,000 with the help of celebrity guests

Despite the rain, City representatives gathered in the Egyptian Hall at Mansion House on 7 March for our Call My Wine Bluff dinner. Raising over £100,000 for The Lord Mayor’s Appeal, the fun-filled night of friendly competition and wine drinking was co-hosted by the Rt Hon Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Nicholas Lyons and Lady Mayoress Felicity Lyons. 

Inviting attendees to test their wine knowledge over six rounds of tasting, our celebrity bluffers including actor and Pointless presenter Alexander Armstrong; TV and film star Patricia Hodge OBE; and The Times' chief Wine Critic Jane MacQuitty MBE gave amusing, informative and highly convincing descriptions of the wine. Teams were then left to decide who was bluffing and who was telling the truth. The action-packed evening also included a wine quiz, a three-course dinner plus a live and silent auction.

Thanks to our expert bluffers who were all on fine form, giving guests outstanding performances and keeping them guessing; and a big round of applause for the overall winners of the evening – wine company Ampelidae. Finally special thanks to Michael Hockney MBE (Chairman) and the organising committee, thank you to Evelyn Partners for the cohort of wine volunteers, all those who attended and those who made generous bids and donated wine and other auction prizes. It all helped to make the evening a huge success. 

Proceeds from the evening will help in our aim to create A Better City for All that is inclusive, healthy, skilled and fair. Via The Appeal’s thought leadership initiatives Power of Inclusion, This is Me, We Can Be and City Giving Day and our partner charities National Numeracy, MQ Mental Health Research and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, vital funds like these deliver an impact in the City that transforms lives.

Find out more about The Lord Mayor’s Appeal upcoming events here