DÉJÀ VU

History just keeps on repeating itself…

Our regular readers will know that the relationship between music and drink is a subject that we enjoy exploring within these pages from time to time. And so it was with interest that we learnt that Mark Knopfler – the Dire Straits front man, guitarist and film composer – has recently launched his own brand of gin. As we order a review sample, reach for our tumblers and read all about Local Heroes No. 3’s ‘robustly ginny profile with strong spice flavour and heat’, we also take a look at other musicians who have indulged in similar alcoholic endeavours… History doesn’t relate whether Hildegard von Bingen brewed her own beer, but she certainly knew a lot about it. In her writings, the 12th-century nun, composer and polymath describes the preservative qualities of hops and also heartily recommends regular doses of a drink made from barley. She would have got on famously with present-day pianist Olga Stezhko, who launches a new craft beer to accompany each new CD release – the most recent, inspired by Debussy, was an ale called Doctor Gradus. Film composer Alan Silvestri, meanwhile, takes wine very seriously. When not writing scores for blockbusters such as Back To The Future, Silvestri can been seen keeping a keen eye on the production of chardonnays, syrahs and pinot noirs at the Silvestri Vineyards in Carmel, California. Similarly, Sting, the lutenist, Dowland enthusiast and former Police lead-singer, also makes his own wine, in this instance on his Il Palagio estate in Tuscany, Italy. Cheers!