Master Sommelier Richard Dean of Taj Campton Place in San Francisco is a gracious and generous host, who shares his deep knowledge of wines in this interview. There are less than 140 Master Sommeliers in the US, and Dean was the second person to became one, and also the youngest.

He grew up in the midwest and studied accounting and commerce. He found himself drawn to wines when he was working in Hawaii. That initial passion turned into a full-time profession. When he became a Maser Sommelier California wines were not the “in” thing, it was wines front he Old World that were mostly served at the table. He has been with the Taj Group of Hotels for many years.

In this video interview we find out how he became a Sommelier and answers the question if one has to have a “good nose” to become a connoisseur. How do you choose a good bottle of wine? What wine is paired with Indian food, an eternal conundrum for those who want to serve Indian food. And, he walks us through wines of California and answers that nagging question – why are there so many different wine glasses? How are they different.

Every month The Taj Campton Place hosts a wine tasting dinner that features wines from California.

Dean has been with the Taj Group of Hotels for many years and has traveled to India quite a bit.