WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines

How do you turn the complexity of wine - its regions, choices, challenges, and opportunities - into true expertise? The WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines empowers you to think broadly, taste with precision, and connect every detail, building globally recognised expertise that sets you apart in the industry. 

Building on the knowledge and skills gained from the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines, the Diploma deepens your understanding of how and why wine production, and business factors, influence the style, quality, and price of wines. Your expertise is built both theoretically - through comprehensive study of a large number of wine regions - and practically - by developing your wine tasting skills to an expert level. 

If you want to progress to the Master of Wine programme, you’ll find your Diploma theory and tasting are an excellent foundation. 

 

 

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

The WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines develops expert knowledge and tasting skills to a professional standard. You’ll understand how climate, grape growing, winemaking and wine business influence style, quality and price in relation to the main wines of the world. You’ll also refine your ability to analyse, evaluate and communicate wine with confidence. 

What's covered?

 

Unit 1 

The Diploma is delivered in six mandatory units covering a broad range of topics including wine production, wine business and still, sparkling and fortified wines of the world. 

D1 – Wine production (20% hours of study weighting) 

  • Vine and grape anatomy 
  • Influences in the growing environment 
  • Grape growing options, explaining and evaluating the different approaches and how these options affect grape yields, quality and the final wine produced 
  • Natural factors in the vineyard and how they influence the vine’s ability to produce grapes for wines of different styles, quality levels and price 
  • Winemaking, post-fermentation options and maturation and how they influence the style, quality and price of wines 

 

D2 – Wine business (10% hours of study weighting) 

  • The types of businesses engaged in wine production and the options for getting wine to the point of sale 
  • Factors that contribute to the price of wine 
  • Key considerations in wine marketing 

 

D3 – Wines of the world | D4 – Sparkling wines | D5 – Fortified wines 

In each of these Units you will learn: 

  • How climate, grape-growing, winemaking, wine law and wine business influence the style, quality and price of the principal still wines (D3), sparkling wines (D4) and fortified wines (D5) of the world. 
  • How to taste and evaluate still wines (D3), sparkling wines (D4) and fortified wines (D5) using the WSET Level 4 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine®(SAT) 

D3 – Wines of the world: 50% hours of study weighting  

D4 – Sparkling wines: 5% hours of study weighting   

D5 – Fortified wines: 5% hours of study weighting  

  

 

D6 – Independent research assignment (10% hours of study weighting) 

  • How to research a specified wine-related subject 

COURSE DELIVERY

Courses are available in-person or online through our network of  course providers. The Level 4 Diploma in Wines requires: 

  • 116 hours or guided learning with a WSET course provider 
  • 370 hours of private study 
  • Exams for each unit (excluding D6), totalling 11 ½ hours 

It normally takes between 18 months and 3 years to complete the Diploma. Each unit is weighted differently in terms of hours of study required.

Our course providers offer the course in a variety of formats, for example over consecutive days, weeks or evenings. You can also study through WSET’s Online Classroom, an interactive e-learning platform where you complete activities at your own pace over five weeks, under the guidance of an expert educator. 

Available to study in these languages:

*Delivery will vary by course provider; however, this is the minimum requirement that should be met.

“WSET Diploma helped take my career in the industry to a new level. It empowered me to discuss wine with confidence and lead others through their own journey in wine. This course is the benchmark for anyone who is looking to be a professional in wine.”

Emilie Steckenborn, Level 4 Diploma in Wines

COURSE INFORMATION

Entry requirements

You must hold either the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines or the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines and Spirits to enrol on the WSET Level 4 Diploma and  be of legal drinking age in the country where you’re attending the course and exam to participate in any alcohol tasting. Requirements may vary by course provider. 

Candidates whose first language is not English are strongly recommended to have an IELTS score of 6.5 or above or be able to demonstrate an equivalent ability level. 

Requirements may vary by course provider. 

 

Assessment

To complete the Diploma you must pass all six units, successfully meeting the rigorous assessment requirements across the syllabus. Assessment varies by Unit: 

 

D1 – Wine production 

1½ hour closed-book exam made up of open-response questions 

 

D2 – Wine business 

1 hour closed-book exam made up of open-response questions 

 

D3 – Wines of the world 

A theory and tasting exam held over two consecutive days: 

  • Day one – A two-part theory exam formed of open-response questions to be completed in 3 hours 20 minutes (one 2-hour paper and one 80-minute paper). 
  • Day two – A two-part blind tasting exam of 12 wines to be completed in 3 hours (two papers of 1½ hours) 

 

D4 – Sparkling wines 

1½ hour closed-book exam made up of open-response questions and a blind tasting of three sparkling wines 

 

D5 – Fortified wines 

1½ hour closed-book exam made up of open-response questions and a blind tasting of three fortified wines 

 

D6 – Independent research assignment 

One research assignment of 3,000 words 

 

If you successfully complete the Diploma, you’ll receive a digital certificate and lapel pin and will be able to use the post-nominal DipWSET and associated WSET certified logo. You’ll also become a WSET alum and join our global community, enjoying access to exclusive resources, events and opportunities designed to help you to stay connected and grow your network. 

 

Course specification

For more information and full details on the course requirements, please download the Specification below:

 

When can you enrol?

Courses will be offered through an international network of approved course providers. 

To find your nearest course provider, head to our Where to Study page below.