Hot on the heels of ’80s pop star Rick Astley announcing he’s creating his own beer brand, former UB40 band members Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue have released Red Red Wine.
Red Red Wine is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc and is being produced by Eminent Life, the company responsible for a limited edition ‘Cuvée Roger Daltrey’ Champagne released last year to coincide with the 50th anniversary of The Who.
Meanwhile, Astley is brewing a fruity pilsner lager with a Danish company.
“I’ve been working with the Mikkeller brewery in Copenhagen, which was founded 10 years ago by a teacher who made his own beer at home.
“Mikkeller beer is quite experimental and they’ve been sending me various bottles to sample. Some are quite fruity – one was a pear beer they make for a restaurant, but we’ve gone for a pilsner type lager.
“All I need now is a name for it.”
Finding a name wasn’t a problem for the former UB40 trio.
This is how the drinks business editor-in-chief Patrick Schmitt MW describes Red Red Wine: “The wine has a slightly jammy nose with sweet, ripe strawberries, some blackcurrant, and hint of vanilla. The palate is quite light in body, with some sweet red fruit, blackcurrant, as well as a touch of leafiness like a red from the Loire. It has slightly drying tannins, which dominate the finish, along with a kick of acidity.
“It’s basically a simple, youthful claret that one might pick up for around a tenner, so the fact it costs almost £30 makes it expensive, but I suppose it’s not being bought for what’s in the bottle.”
Jerome Jacober, founder of Eminent Life said: “I am delighted with the exceptional partnership between Eminent Life and UB40 – one of the most iconic British reggae bands. It has been a pleasure and honour working with Ali, Astro and Mickey to create the exclusive wine which is so befitting of the great track ‘Red Red Wine’.”
