As to wine at Delta, the
Solms family had been making it in Germany long before the first Solms left for
southern Africa seven generations before Mark, Delta's current owner was born. Mark took over in 2002 and set about
learning what he could about wine making, not just from modern technology but
from Biblical times. He told me he felt that the art of making wine for the
senators and pharaohs of the ancient world died with, among other things, the the Barbarian Invasion of Rome. What survived during their occupation was how to make house wine. Well, what
else would you serve to barbarians?
I didn't mention that at least some of the invaders were Celts and probably drank whisky.
Let me get back to the theme, the benefits of
Mark’s researches into the methods of the ancients enhance his new wine, a
Shiraz Afrikana to be launched in September.
At that time, 2002, there were three Delta products to choose from, all containing blends
of the Rhône type
grapes Mark has grown to supplement the traditional Cape varieties, believing
Rhône vines are more
suited to the Cape’s dry summers than those originating from the wetter climate
and more generous soils of France.
My wife was with me and enjoying Mark's company and, hereabouts, there was more to come.
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