Ask & Learn

You might be asking yourself, "What does this frog have to do with wine?!"  Good question, I'm glad you asked.  In fact, this frog was photographed in a small pond on the Schramsberg Estate in Napa Valley, California, where many fine wines are made.

We love questions.  So, ask away!  Below you will find a selection of questions, with our humble attempts to share what we know.  We do not pretend to be omniscient, especially when individual preference is so important.  But hopefully we can shed some light on the subject!

We invite you to peruse the exchange of Qs and As shown below, and, of course, if you feel the urge, let your inquisitiveness take over.  Scroll down to the bottom of this page where you can submit your own question to Johanna and the Goshen Wine & Spirits staff.

 

Let the exchange begin...

Question A:  What is the difference, if any, between champagne and sparkling wine?

Answer A:  Champagne refers to sparkling wines made specifically from grapes grown in the Champagne region of France and vinified using the Méthode Champenoise winemaking process.  Strictly adhering to the rules, any sparkling wine not coming from the Champagne region cannot be called champagne.  A bit of controversy occurred when Schramsberg sparkling winemakers in Napa Valley, California boldly called their bubbly champagne.  (They no longer do so.)  In fact, they take incredible pride in their use of the Méthode Champenoise.  Whatever you call it, Schramsberg produces some of the finest sparkling wines in the world.

 

Question B:  What type of wine-making technique produces better wines - wood or stainless steel?

Answer B: