The Noble Rot Bar, the wine bar from the eponymous magazine, had been high on my wish list for a while. I really wanted to go there. Luckily, my friend and wine enthusiast Hanneke agreed to come along.
Once back on British soil, I can't help but flash back to about ten years ago. I was 19 and had my heart set on a London adventure: studying in London. That was twelve, almost thirteen years ago. Wow. I lived between Big Ben and Victoria Station in a tiny 9-square-meter room (for which I paid 750 euros, by the way). London was the ultimate. The city had, and still has, a special place in my heart, but at the same time, I walked around with a knot in my stomach. Homesick. Ugh, what a nightmare.
As I breathe in the London air again, I think back to my younger self. I still remember how it felt. Like a complete failure. If only I knew then what I know now. It was the first step towards entrepreneurship 😉 My experiences in London made me think: I'm going to do this again. Luckily, I got that chance again during my master's program. In 2010, I packed my bags and left for Aix-en-Provence. We all know how that felt. ended … With wine 😉
Okay, long introduction. So last weekend I was back in London, and it felt like old times, minus the homesickness. In fact, I'd live there again in a heartbeat. Going to Noble Rot every day. Who wouldn't want that?
Update: In April 2022, I headed back to London. This time, the occasion was the WSET Diploma Course graduation ceremony at the Guildhall. The ceremony was incredibly dull, but I was so happy to have the diploma. Naturally, we celebrated this joyous occasion extensively at various wine bars and, of course, Noble Rot.
In April 2022 we discovered these gems:
- Best hotel in London: The Rookery In Farringdon (near The City). A lovely neighborhood, not too crowded, but with everything you need.
- You drink English wine at the local pub, Balfour St Barts . Nothing special, but a nice English fizz on the menu.
- In the same neighborhood you will also find a nice wine bar, Vinoteca Farringdon , where you can also buy wine.
- In case you want to drink more wine: go to Sager & Wilde on Hackney Road. Note: you can only get toasted sandwiches and olives for dinner here. There's also a Sager & Wilde restaurant on Paradise Row.
- There is also a cozy wine bar in Borough Market, Bedales We're sitting in the market hall, where the metro thunders past about every five minutes. Not idyllic, but very London-like.
DipWSET is in (2022)
Noble Rot Bar
It's just as fun as the magazine itself. There's a relaxed atmosphere, which is wonderful. No fuss, no pompous sommeliers, just great wines. The menu features about ten reds and ten whites available by the glass. They also offer three sparkling wines, including an English one, the Hambledon Classic Cuvée. Hanneke tried this one, and I can tell you: delicious. Very different, even for English sparkling wines. Is it skin-softening, or is the Bacchus grape part of the blend? Well, definitely not the latter; it's a blend of the three classic Champagne grapes.
I'll start with an Assyrtiko. Not from Santorini, but from the winery. Lyrarakis From Crete. Hmmm. It remains a fascinating grape. Scorching hot on those islands and yet that fresh acidity. Love it. We'll end the drinks hour with Le Grappin, Santenay 1er Cru 'Gravieres' 2016 . A rich, full-bodied chardonnay.
In addition to this by the glass You can also order a lot of wines by the bottle. It is recommended to book this in advance. by taking for your visit. Noble Rot is closed on Sundays. From Monday to Saturday, you can also enjoy lunch and dinner, in addition to afternoon snacks. Highly recommended!
In 2022, we're once again showcasing Noble Rot and choosing, among other wines, Tillington 2013, Nyetimber's single vineyard. It really is so close to Champagne; I wonder if you could tell it apart blindly.
Noble Rot Bar & Restaurant, 51 Lamb's Conduit St, London
In 2018 in the hotel room
Even more Nyetimber in 2022
Ottolenghi's Nopi
Right in the heart of SoHo, you'll find Nopi, one of Yotam Ottolenghi's six restaurants in London. We're assigned a spot at the large table in the basement. Apparently, I'd made a reservation for that too; I had no idea. There's a "Nopi Upstairs" and a "Nopi Downstairs." Upstairs has the classic restaurant feel, while downstairs you're literally sitting among the pots and pans. There are two large tables overlooking the kitchen. Our table is as diverse as Yotam's books. On the left sits a couple from Switzerland in—I'm guessing—their late forties. On the other side are two guys in their early twenties who, by their own admission, have been to Jerusalem five times and are therefore so eager to join us. Meanwhile, we check out the kitchen staff and the dishes that are being served. Because seriously: everything sounds delicious and looks good. Tough choices.
We decided not to have a main course, but to share a few dishes. A picture is worth a thousand words, so here they are:
There's no shortage of wines – of course. It's no surprise that Nopi's wine list features organic, biodynamic, and the occasional natural wine. A large selection of orange wines also graces the menu. I love it, and it really complements the dishes. white wine (from magnum) of Cantina Giardino is a favorite. Too bad I can't order it anywhere in the Netherlands.
The service doesn't get a 10. I asked if the Piedmontese wine on the menu was a Nebbiolo. It was. I got the wine, looked at the color, and smelled it. If this is Nebbiolo, I can retake the WSET-3. The wine was fine, but I wanted to double-check. The bottom line: it was indeed a Barbera. Apologies. Yes, thanks. The wine was on the receipt. Too bad. She then recommended a wine bar (40 Maltby Street) that was closed when we arrived. Thanks again. Haha.
Nopi Restaurant, 21-22 Warwick St, Soho, London
In April 2022, we're having lunch at Ottolenghi's Deli in Islington . It's not exactly in the city center, but our hotel, The Rookery , is in East London (Farringdon/The City), so we'll rent a bike and be there in just a few minutes. It's great to get to know this side of London. Much less crowded and just as enjoyable as the city center.
BobBobRicard
BobBobRicard is making every champagne fan's dream a reality. Every table here has a "push for champagne" button. You'll want that at home. It's quite a posh place, but it's a bit of a shame that Moet & Chandon is on the menu again. Stop by Noble Rot or Nopi for the gems among the sparkling wines. Oh well, that's not BobBob's cup of tea either, I guess. It's all about seeing and being seen here. What the... I'm just in!
Could I have the Chateau d'Yquem 1996, please?
Dream come true: Chateau d'Yquem 1996
Of course it's expensive, and oh, should you really? But this is so much more than just a glass of wine. I've been looking forward to this moment for years, and today is my chance. How do you describe a wine like this? Words fail me, but I'll give it a try. Dried apricots, orange marmalade, honey, hazelnuts, caramel, and the longest finish ever. In short, it's priceless.
BobBobRicard, 1 Upper James St, Soho, London
Just as wonderful as London. A city after my own heart.
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