Level 4 Diploma in Wines

How do you piece together the world of wine – its regions, decision, pressures and possibilities – into real expertise? The WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines pushes you to think bigger, taste smarter and connect every detail, building industry-recognised mastery with global relevance. 

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. 

Successful graduates acquire exceptional analytical skills and proficiency in evaluative wine tasting, gaining global recognition as authoritative wine specialists. Should you wish to progress to the Master of Wine programme, you will be well-prepared. 

You can join us at our central London location for training in-person, or for online classes – whatever suits you. 

 

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 grape growing, winemaking, maturation, wine business and regional factors influence style, quality and price. You’ll also refine your ability analyse, evaluate and communicate wine with confidence worldwide. 

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 

  • Vine requirements 
  • Anatomy of the vine and grape 
  • 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 and post-fermentation options and how they influence the style, quality and price of wines 

D1 – hours of study weighting 20% 

 

D2 – Wine business 

  • 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 

D2 –  hours of study weighting 10% 

 

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

In each of these Units you will learn: 

  • How grape-growing, winemaking, maturation, 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: hours of study weighting 50% 

D4 – Sparkling wines: hours of study weighting 5%  

D5 – Fortified wines: hours of study weighting 5%  

 

  

D6 – Independent research assignment 

  • How to research a specified wine-related subject 

D6 – hours of study weighting 10% 

 

COURSE DELIVERY

Available in-person or online, the Level 4 Diploma in Wine 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, the table below shows the minimum guided learning time, private study time and the weighting applied against each unit. 

We offer the course in a variety of formats, for example over consecutive days, weeks or evenings. It can also be studied 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: 

  • English

“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, Head of Education – ASIA, Treasury Wine Estates

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Entry requirements 

Candidates 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 must be of legal drinking age in the UK 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. 

 

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 examination made up of open-response questions 

 

D2 – Wine business 

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

 

D3 – Wines of the world 

A theory and tasting examination to be 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 examination of 12 wines to be completed in 3 hours (two papers of 1½ hours) 

 

D4 – Sparkling wines 

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

 

D5 – Fortified wines 

1½ hour closed-book examination 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 

 

Those who successfully complete the Diploma will receive a WSET certificate and lapel pin and will be able to use the post-nominal “DipWSET” and associated WSET certified logo. You will also become a member of our Alumni Body, with access to our quarterly reports and a number of exclusive events. 

 

Course specification 

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

 

When can you enrol? 

To register your interest in booking a WSET beer course, please complete the below form. 

 

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