What is WSET 4 Diploma?

The WSET Diploma (Level 4) is the highest level of education offered by the WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust). This program is designed for wine professionals and enthusiasts looking to deepen their knowledge and understanding of wine, and to develop the skills necessary to excel in their careers.

The WSET Level 4 Diploma is a rigorous program that includes 6 units: wine production, wine business, sparkling wines of the world, fortified wines of the world, still wines of the world, and an essay on a defined topic. It takes between 1.5 and 3 years to complete.

Each unit has its own theory exam, and units on sparkling wines of the world, fortified wines of the world and still wines of the world have blind tasting exams.

The most demanding units are the first one, on wine production ("D1"), and the one on still wines of the world ("D3"). The latest was the most stressful and demanding for me to prepare, with different theory papers and a blind tasting of 12 wines.

To be eligible for the WSET Level 4 Diploma, candidates must have completed the WSET Level 3.

Obtaining the WSET Level 4 Diploma is a significant accomplishment and is recognised as a benchmark of wine knowledge and expertise. It also is a great way to continue to improve your wine knowledge and skills, and to stay up to date with the trends of the industry!

I personally passed the WSET Diploma with Merit in 2021, so feel free to reach out if you have any questions!