New Kylie music ‘simmering away in the background’
As the Princess of Pop celebrates her 56th birthday on Tuesday, she has no intention of slowing things down.
Turning 55 was an extraordinary year for Kylie Minogue.
She released her 16th studio album, the critically adored Tension, which featured the chart-topping single Padam Padam, the unofficial anthem of Pride Month.
That song notched Kylie her second Grammy, taking home the inaugural award for Best Pop Dance Recording – her first was back in 2004 when Come Into My World won Best Dance Recording. And she earned a spot on Time Magazine’s annual list of the 100 most influential people.
All achievements that Minogue is characteristically humble about. “I’m just enjoying the fact that others are enjoying this moment in my life and career,” she says. “I feel like so many of us have been in this together, so I share the success with everyone.”
Tuesday marks the pop star’s 56th birthday, and Kylie has no intention of slowing down. She tells The Australian that she is planning her first proper tour in five years.
“I’m very excited about eventually getting to tour as I’ve not toured properly since 2019,” Minogue says. “I have a lot of music which hasn’t had that kind of moment with people around the world so that would be great.”
She says she has new music “simmering away in the background” and more acting gigs “if my schedule allows”.
But hold the champagne, because Minogue will be ushering in her 56th year popping prosecco. She’s not only celebrating her birthday, but also the fourth anniversary of her wine business, Kylie Minogue Wines.
To mark the occasion, she is launching a new prosecco DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata), created in collaboration with Zonin 1821, one of the oldest family-owned wine producers in Italy. Minogue tells The Australian that it is “perfect for so many occasions”.
While the chances of finding Minogue’s wine in the chilly bin of an Australian house party might be slim, in the UK it’s a phenomenon. Less than a year after launching, Kylie Minogue Wines sold its one millionth bottle (it’s since sold more than 15 million bottles globally).
Her no-alcohol sparkling rose is, according to the supermarket giant Tesco, Britain’s best-selling alcohol-free wine.
A testament to its popularity – or perhaps how far we’ve fallen from grace – is that American pop star Renee Rapp, best known for her role in the Mean Girls Broadway musical, did not know that Minogue made music and thought she was famous solely for her wine venture.
“Minogue says that she wanted to make a prosecco DOC because “there’s something beautifully Italian and traditional” about the varietal. Officially, the drop has notes of apple, pear, citrus and almonds, but if it were a Kylie song, which one would it be?
“Ooh, that’s a tough one,” says Kylie. “I think I would have to go for Love At First Sight.” A good choice, but why?
“[It’s] a song that can always lift your spirits,” she says.
“I’ve probably played it on every major tour I’ve done and it is like a best friend to me.”
Amazingly, Love at First Sight almost didn’t happen. “I remember writing it in a session in Dublin and then it initially being dismissed by my label,” Minogue says. “And then they changed their minds … much to my relief.”
What advice would your 56-year-old self give to your 26-year-old self?
Keep a diary!
55 was a milestone year for you, what is it that you hope 56 has in store?
I’m very excited about eventually getting to tour as I’ve not toured properly since 2019. I have a lot of music which hasn’t had that kind of moment with people around the world so that would be great. I have also been working on some new music so that is simmering away in the background.
I’ve done some acting and it looks like I’ll do some more, if my schedule allows.
Aside from all that, I’m just enjoying the fact that others are enjoying this moment in my life and career. I feel like so many of us have been in this together, so I share the success with everyone!
If your new prosecco was one of your songs, which would it be, and why?
Oooh, that’s a tough one. I think I would have to go for Love At First Sight. LAFS is a song that can always lift your spirits. Since its release in 2001, I’ve probably played it on every major tour I’ve done and it is like a best friend to me. I remember writing it in a session in Dublin and then it initially being dismissed by my label, and then they changed their minds. Much to my relief because I thought, this is a good song and I don’t understand how they haven’t responded to it. Anyway, it all worked out!
When I saw the first glass samples come through for the love-hearts designs on the prosecco Rosé and prosecco DOP bottles, it was … love at first sight.
Why choose to make a prosecco?
I am a huge fan of prosecco DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) and its light, crisp, and refreshing taste. Its balanced acidity and light body create a versatile wine perfect for so many occasions, and its notes of apple, pear, citrus, and a hint of almond match perfectly with so many foods. There’s also something beautifully Italian and traditional with prosecco DOC and the Friuli and Veneto regions, where the Glera grapes are grown, are so beautiful and historic and are some of my favourite wine regions in the world.
If you’re cooking food to impress someone, with your prosecco as an accompaniment, what will you make?
The flavours and versatility of our prosecco DOC make it an excellent companion for many foods, and I would love to serve it with a seafood-based meal.
Start with fresh oysters on the half shell with a squeeze of lemon, enhancing the minerality and bubbles of the prosecco.
For the main course, I would lean into a whole salt-baked sea bass, a delicious dish from the South of France, (No, I’ve never made it myself before!) Dressing would be Sauce Vierge, a lovely mix of olive oil, olives, tomatoes, lemon juice and perhaps a little anchovy and parsley.
A fresh herb side salad (the famous Neil Perry one!) and a shared vegetable dish of young green beans with some cheeky butter melted through.
Dessert, I would (selfishly) go for a chic, thin slice of flourless dark chocolate torte, served with a few berries and a little dollop of fresh whipped cream.
If any guests didn’t like seafood, then a pasta main of either Chicken Piccata (the lemony, buttery sauce is a delightful match for Prosecco’s acidity) or Pasta Primavera (a light pasta with fresh vegetables complements the fruity and floral notes of prosecco).
