Apparently music alone is not enough, as it has been announced today that Alex James from Blur is launching his first mainstream range of cheese in partnership with Asda, whilst Australian rock band AC/DC are about to launch a new range of wines, with varieties named after their best-selling hits. The obvious question is why two pop and rock legends feel the compulsion to diversify into the food and drinks market?!! Although music sales are on the wane, surely things are not that bad?!! One thing is for sure, although highly improbable, if Blur supported AC/DC, or vice versa, their respective fans could expect to be part of a mega cheese and wine party!!

Alex James, who has been manufacturing cheese on his organic farm since 2008 has previously only sold his range of three cheeses – Blue Monday, Farleigh Wallop and Little Wallop through specialist retailers. The new “Alex James Presents” range includes a new twist with products such as cheddar spudsworth melting cubes, developed with the perfect consistency for jacket potatoes and bread shaped blankets made for cheese on toast or sandwiches. It also includes a range of “quirky” flavoured cheddars such as cheddar and tomato ketchup, cheddar and tikka masala, cheddar and spring onion, cheddar and sweet chilli and a traditional mature cheddar.

Meanwhile the AC/DC  wines, sourced from their native Australia, are being sold in partnership with New South Wales-based winery Warburn Estate. The range includes “Back in Black Shiraz”, “Hells Bells Sauvignon Blanc”, “You Shook Me All Night Long Moscato” and “Highway To Hell Cabernet Sauvignon”. I can’t help feeling that AC/DC have missed a trick, not including a Rose called “A whole lotta Rose”!! Or would that be too “cheesey”?!!

AC/DC are not the first music artists to produce their own wine range. The Rolling Stones, Motorhead, Whitesnake, Madonna, Barbara Streisand and Kiss have all also entered the wine business in recent years……the possiblities of punning wine names around their hits is endless. Here are a few suggestions –

Rolling Stones – “Paint it Black Tower” ( for those of a 1970s vintage, if you will pardon the pun )

Motorhead – “Overspill”

Whitesnake – How about a new cocktail, White Wine Snake Bite?

Madonna – “Like a Virgin Blue Nun”

Barbara Streisand – You don’t bring me grapes”

Kiss – “God gave Hock and Roll to you”

If you have got any brand name suggestions for other artists and groups that might wish to diversify into the food and drink market, that are more cheesey than Alex James’ new product range, then please contribute via the Reply Box below –