The WSET® Diploma in Wines cours is a tough adventure, and the recommended preliminary training for the Master of Wine study. The Diploma is internationally recognised, and is highly regarded at home and abroad. The Diploma Course is taught in almost all of Western Europe, as well as in the United States, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. WineWise maintains high standards for the quality of the course, among other things by deploying teachers specialized in the theme, usually Masters of Wine and by providing guidance with study planning. The selection of course wines is also at the highest level in Europe.

Who’s it for?

  • Wine connoisseurs wanting to develop personally and/or professionally in the wine industry.
  • Dedicated wine enthusiast wishing to build on knowledge gained at Level 3 and acquire further expertise in wine tasting.
  • Those who are aiming for the title Weinakademiker or Master of Wine studies. 

What’s covered?

The Diploma is comprised of six essential units of study, each designed to develop expertise in a specific area.
These units are weighted differently and require different amounts of guided and private study time.
@WineWise all students begin with the START Module comprising the D1, D2 and D6 units.
After this module students can do the so called tasting modules (D3, D4 and D5) in random order.

  • D1 – Wine production (20% weighting)
  • D2 – Wine business (10% weighting)
  • D3 – Wines of the world (50% weighting)
  • D4 – Sparkling wines (5% weighting)
  • D5 – Fortified wines (5% weighting)
  • D6 – Independent research assignment (10% weighting)

During the tasting modules you learn how to taste and describe wine and how to formulate a conclusion using the WSET Level 4 Systematic Approach to tasting Wine (SAT®).

Exam WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines

  • This course consists of 7 exams:
    • 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 achieving 55% or more on all 7 parts will receive the WSET® Level 4 Diploma in Wines Certificate and lapel pin.
  • The exam days are scheduled by WSET London and are the same all over the world.

How does the course work?

  • WineWise offers 3 start modules a year alternately starting in Antwerp (BE), Breda or Amsterdam (NL).
    • September (Breda), December (Antwerp) and May (Amsterdam)
    • As there are no “tastings” for these three modules, we offer D1 and D2 ONLINE.
      This allows you to optimally plan your own study moments. Please note that you must participate in the activities on a weekly basis, but the timing is up to you.
    • Optionally, you can join a three-day study trip to Geisenheim University in April.
  • D3 courses are always in Breda.
  • D4 and D5 courses are in Antwerp, Breda or Amsterdam.
  • All exams (except D1) are always in Breda (Hotel Princeville).
  • Please read the Specification of this course well. You can find a lot of useful information.

Educator(s)

  • Online:
    • WSET online accredited educator, at least WSET Level 4 in Wines qualified and most are Master of Wine.
  • Classroom:
    • WineWise Educators, mostly Master of Wine
    • Independent wine selection made by WineWise.

Your investment

Prices inclusive 21% VAT – payment in several instalments possible on request

  • Online:
    • Start module: € 2.976,6
    • D3: € 2.250,6
    • D4 and D5: each € 556,6
  • Classroom:
    • Start module: € 2.976,6
    • D3: € 4.428,6
    • D4 and D5: each € 677,6