Noble Rot Issue 36: Director’s Cup!

From the very first sip, dinner with this issues special guest,Ridley Scott, was another trademark Noble Rot interview thatran to more than several glasses and some unearthed little-known insights. Responsible for some of the greatest moviesof all time from Blade Runner and Thelma & Louise to Alienand Gladiator (the latter two of which we pay tribute to withthis issues special dual covers by Gary Taxoli), Scott is alsoa wine lover who owns vineyards in Provence, and has amaverick perspective on everything from cooking the perfectscrambled eggs to how AI is changing the world. On therun up to the release of Gladiator II, with many new projectsbacked up, Noble Rot discovers what drives the 86 year oldsrelentless work ethic in Directors Cup. And while were on thesubject of AI, sommeliers may like to hear that theyve got littleto fear from it stealing their jobs at least ifHannah Crosbiesconversation with ChatGPT after asking it to mimic a quick-witted Noble Rot Lambs Conduit St somm is anything to go by(I Drink, Therefore I Am).

Also in this issue…Marina OLoughlincomes out of the shadows and revealsher identity after years as an anonymous restaurant critic forThe TimesandThe Guardian, and also reviews Brays The Waterside Inn.we welcome back Britains doyenne of home cookingDeliaSmith, who tries to choose between a visit to Auberge de la Mle and a Simon Hopkinson truffle extravaganza as her Greatest Meal.our roving wine criticKeira Knightleygives her verdict on another eclectic selection of wines.Alice Feiringspeaks toThe Four Horsemens JamesMurphyandJustin Chearnoabout a decade of theiradored Brooklyn restaurant and wine bar. Tragically, sincethe interview, the much-loved Justin has passed awayand will be hugely missed by everybody who knew him.

Plus: We profile chefsKwame Onwuachiof New Yorks TatianaandMerlin Labron-Johnsonof Somersets Osip;Kermit Lynchtells us about an eye-opening encounter in a Paris wine shop;we visit the late, legendary Italian wine and food writerLuigiVeronellis mythical Bergamo cellar; and offer stories aboutChartreuse, greatLanguedoc growers,BYO in restaurants,and much more.