Kamal Malik MS joins Asia Wine Ratings as Regional & Category Expert for India, bringing more than two decades of experience across wine, hospitality, beverage management and international markets.

A Master Sommelier and the first Indian to achieve the qualification, Kamal has built his career from the restaurant floor upwards, working as a bartender, bar manager, head sommelier, restaurant manager and beverage manager.

He has worked with some of India’s leading luxury hospitality groups, including Taj and Oberoi, developing extensive knowledge of fine dining, beverage operations, wine service and the Indian hospitality landscape.

His travels through the wine regions around Nashik and engagement with Indian wineries and winemakers have also given him first-hand insight into Indian viticulture, vinification and the evolution of domestic wine production.

Alongside his Master Sommelier qualification, Kamal holds the WSET Diploma. Today, he is part of Maritime and Mercantile International (MMI), an Emirates Group company and a major wine and spirits distributor.

Kamal’s approach extends beyond scores, considering balance, character, typicity, authenticity, sense of place and commercial relevance. As Regional & Category Expert for India, he will bring greater international attention to India’s evolving wine landscape while helping producers better understand one of Asia’s increasingly important beverage markets.