Fred Dame Explained

Birth Date:[1]

Fred Dame is an American wine professional.

Dame was born in California and attended Washington and Lee University, earning a degree in journalism and communications.

Dame in 1984 became a Master Sommelier, passing the exam in London before the United States had a court. He was the first person to pass all three parts of the Master Sommelier examination on the first attempt, which is called "winning the Krug Cup".[2] [3] [4]

In 1986 he was co-founder of the Court of Master Sommeliers in the United States and was its first president.[5] [6] [7] [8] He has been called "the godfather of the American sommelier community".[9] He appeared in the 2012 documentary about American sommelier candidates, SOMM.[10] [11] In that documentary other Master Sommeliers described him as intimidating.

In 2020, during the Me Too movement, Dame was accused by multiple female Master Sommeliers or former Master Sommelier candidates of sexual harassment and eventually expelled from the organization.[1] [12]

Notes and References

  1. News: Moskin . Julia . 2020-10-29 . The Wine World's Most Elite Circle Has a Sexual Harassment Problem . en-US . . 2023-06-26 . 0362-4331 . 2023-05-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230531164921/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/29/dining/drinks/court-of-master-sommeliers-sexual-harassment-wine.html . live .
  2. http://www.ilikethisgrape.com/master-sommelier-best-job-in-the-world/ Master Sommelier Fred Dame: Best Job In The World
  3. https://www.sandiegowineclassic.com/bio/personalities-bio-popup_Dame_Fred.html Master Sommelier Frederick L. Dame
  4. https://blog.jordanwinery.com/2014/05/the-roast-of-master-sommelier-fred-dame/ The roast of master sommelier Fred Dame
  5. Web site: 2013-06-21 . Somm . 2023-06-26 . en-US.
  6. News: Moskin . Julia . 2020-10-29 . The Wine World's Most Elite Circle Has a Sexual Harassment Problem . en-US . . 2023-06-26 . 0362-4331 . 2023-05-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230531164921/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/29/dining/drinks/court-of-master-sommeliers-sexual-harassment-wine.html . live .
  7. Web site: Parente . Michelle . 2020-01-02 . 'Godfather of American sommeliers' Fred Dame pouring Daou wines at San Diego pairing dinner . 2023-06-26 . . en-US . 2023-03-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230321041123/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/dining-and-drinking/story/2020-01-02/godfather-of-american-sommeliers-fred-dame-pouring-dauo-wines-at-san-diego-pairing-dinner . live .
  8. Web site: 2019-10-28 . The Reign of Fred Dame SevenFifty Daily . 2023-06-26 . . en-US . 2023-01-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230129013600/https://beverlyhillswineclub.com/the-reign-of-fred-dame-sevenfifty-daily/ . live .
  9. News: Southern . Keiran . 2023-06-26 . Fred Dame, godfather of US wine, may be cast out 'for slapping women' . en . . 2023-06-26 . 0140-0460 . 2022-01-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220121033136/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/fred-dame-godfather-of-us-wine-cast-out-for-slapping-women-qvb27jvq2 . live .
  10. Web site: Mobley . Esther . 2021-11-17 . Wine's most prestigious group moves to expel six master sommeliers after sexual misconduct investigation . 2023-06-26 . . en-US . 2023-02-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230209055925/https://www.sfchronicle.com/food/wine/article/Wine-s-most-prestigious-group-expels-six-master-16629248.php . live .
  11. Web site: Chang . Justin . 2013-06-21 . Film Review: 'Somm' . 2023-06-26 . . en-US . 2018-05-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180528183522/http://variety.com/2013/film/reviews/somm-review-1200500332/ . live .
  12. Web site: Lawati . Ning Sang . 2021-11-19 . Court of Master Sommeliers expels six members over sexual harassment . 2023-06-26 . . en-GB . 2023-05-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230528062827/https://vino-joy.com/2021/11/19/court-of-master-sommeliers-expel-six-members-over-sexual-harassment/ . live .