Chris Ramelb

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There are levels

By Chris Ramelb
July 22, 2024
Last updated 3:03 p.m.

This column could’ve alternatively been titled “Understanding German Wine (Part 1 of a Million).” Read more

Winemaking is difficult. There are many decisions that must be contemplated to make a great wine: What temperature to ferment the grape juice, the size and material of the aging vessel, and the duration of both processes are important. Read more

The more you know

By Chris Ramelb
May 21, 2024

“I hate all Santa Barbara pinot noir.” This is something I overheard recently at an industry tasting — by someone who supposedly knew better than to say something that dogmatic. Read more

Italy’s Oddities

By Chris Ramelb
April 23, 2024

If I gave you a handful of guesses to name the world’s most-grown wine grape, I’d predict it wouldn’t be too long before you mentioned the correct answer: cabernet sauvignon. Read more

Not Just for New Year’s

By Chris Ramelb
March 26, 2024

No matter how much you love your work, if you do anything for long enough it can get repetitive. Read more

Bringing down the house (wine)

By Chris Ramelb
Feb. 27, 2024

The term “house wine,” like many other phrases in the wine lexicon (I’m looking at you “natural wine”) takes on very different meanings depending on the context. Read more

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Sometimes the majority does rule

Jan. 23, 2024

Jet-lagged, and smelling faintly of old fashioneds and halal carts, I hailed a fluorescent yellow cab to my first trade tasting in New York City. Read more

Champagne’s best-kept secret

By Chris Ramelb
Dec. 26, 2023

I’ve been writing this column for more than two-and-a-half years now and I am stunned that I had not previously highlighted this producer, as I always have a bottle readily available. Read more

The doctor is zin

By Chris Ramelb
Nov. 21, 2023

Off the beaten path in Sebastopol, about a 90-minute drive from the heart of San Francisco, lies a hidden gem. Read more

Give yourself a break

By Chris Ramelb
Oct. 24, 2023

During the weekend of Sept. 15, some of Hawaii’s most recognizable mixologists and wine professionals convened in San Francisco to help raise money to benefit those affected by the Lahaina wildfires. Read more

Island wines on island time

By Chris Ramelb
Sept. 26, 2023

It’s finally here. After nearly half a year of waiting, which included tastings and meetings, finalizing paperwork, and organizing shipping logistics, I finally got to pop some corks on new discoveries I have been waiting to try for a very long time — and it did not disappoint. Read more

Start a rhone revolution

By Chris Ramelb
Aug. 22, 2023

If I had a dollar for each time I was asked what my favorite wine is, I’d be drinking much more expensive wine. Read more

Wine: The universal language

By Chris Ramelb
July 26, 2023

I joined 268 other campers from around the world for winery and vineyard tours, tastings, seminars, decadent meals and way too much wine. Read more

You can’t fake age

By Chris Ramelb
June 28, 2023

The first wine trade show I attended was a trip. The bustling ballroom was packed with the most influential food and beverage professionals in the state. Read more