Wine
Qualifications
WSET® Level 4 Diploma in Wines
Blended learning

WSET® Level 4 Diploma in Wines

Gain global recognition asan authoritative and cross-functional wine expert.

The WSET® Level 4 Diploma in Wines is an excellent course of study delivered only in English. It is a high-level specialisation combining product knowledge with technical and market factors. It allows candidates to analyse the issues facing the wine industry across the board,a quality that professionals highly value. The WSET® Level 4 Diploma in Wines is recognised worldwide as the gateway to the prestigious Master of Wine programme.

The WSET® Level 4 Diploma in Wines offers an immersive programme thanks to the many organised visits that complement the theoretical content. WiSP will take you to Bordeaux vineyards to discover exceptional Grands Crus and small estates and meet emblematic Bordeaux merchants and many other wine operators. As for the Parisian promotions, they will visit the Champagne region: renowned champagne houses , confidential estates,small producers and institutions

This two-year program is also an opportunity to be trained by our team of experts and Masters of Wine and to taste a selection of wines from the world’s best estates: French, German, Austrian, Italian, Californian and more.

Throughout the two years of training, WiSP learners are mentored by a dedicated member of the WiSP team.

In addition, you have access to a large community of alumni, experts and professionals: a tremendous opportunity to build your worldwide network.

You are ready to register to one of our Diploma years ?

Accessibility of training to people with disabilities. Contact our disability advisor on 05 57 71 75 61 or by email contact@wisp-campus.com in order to study together the necessary arrangements.

HOW WILL MY COURSE BE CONDUCTED ?

How will the WSET® Level 4 Diploma in Wines be conducted?

Following a preliminary phone interview and knowledge test, I validate my course registration with the support of WiSP's team.

Seven days after my enrolment validation, I will get access codes to the online resources (e-book et WSET® Student Online Classroom) necessary for my pre-course preparation. Preparing before and reviewing notes and material after each lesson is strongly recommended.

For each unit, I will receive an e-mail notification 15 days before the course session. The classroom training offers an alternation of theoretical knowledge, consolidation time, tasting practice and field visits.

For Units D1, D2, D4, D5, I will receive a mock exam to do at home three weeks before the assessment. Then, 15 days before the exam, a group correction is organised via videoconference. For Unit D3, mock exams are to be returned online on a fixed date and individually marked in writing by a WSET® marker.

Between one and two months after the course and 15 days after the mock exam, I take my in-person examination on Units D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5. For Unit D6, , I send my research assignment to WiSP before the submission deadline.

10 to 12 weeks after the exam, I will receive my results for each unit. I must pass all six units to graduate. Once validated, I will receive my diploma by mail and an invitation to the official WSET® graduation ceremony in London.

Who can benefit from the WSET® Level 4 Diploma in Wines?

WSET® Level 3 Award in Wines holders looking to build even further their acquired knowledge.

Professionals working in transversal and strategic functions in the wine industry.

Industry professionals wishing to push their tasting skills to the highest level.

Industry professionals, marketers or buyers working with a wide range of wines from around the world.

Those who wish to acquire a global and in-depth knowledge of the world's wines.

Those wishing to enter the Master of Wine programme.

What will you learn in the WSET® Level 4 Diploma in Wines?

Understand the macro and microeconomics of the wine industry, its organisation, the international market, the wine value chain and the keys to wine marketing.

Know the physiology of the vine, its needs to produce and ripen grapes and the influence of its environment.

Learn to demonstrate how the grape growing environment and each stage of the winemaking process influence the style, quality and price of the world's leading wines.

Know how to evaluate the style, quality and price of wines from the main wine regions.

Explain how wine legislation, regulation, and trade influence the style, quality, and price of wines from major wine regions.

Understand how the grape growing environment, other growing options, winemaking options, industry choices, and wine labelling influence the style, quality, and price of the world's leading sparkling and fortified wines.

Demonstrate the ability to taste and evaluate wines of the world accurately.

Learn how to research a specified wine-related subject and communicate your findings through a written research assignment.

WSET® Level 4 Diploma in Wines: Course Syllabus

WSET issue 1.2, 2022

The WSET® Level 4 Diploma in Wines comprises six essential units of study covering all aspects of the wine industry from production to marketing and considering the different categories of wine, such as still, sparkling and fortified.

  • Anatomy of the vine;
  • The development of grape components;
  • The vine growing cycle and its needs at each stage;
  • The role of the environment on the vine’s ability to produce and ripen grapes;
  • The different approaches to vine growing;
  • Establishing a new vineyard;
  • Vineyard management throughout the annual cycle;
  • The vinification of red, white, rosé and sweet wines;
  • Maturing techniques and options;
  • Wine blending, clarification and stabilisation;
  • Risks and quality control procedures during winemaking and ageing.
In-Class Delivery Mode: Three days (+1 at our Bordeaux campus) Videoconference Delivery Mode: 1.5 hours Examination time: 1.5 hours Examination: Open-question exam

  • Macroeconomic analysis of the wine industry: The supply and demand balance and its influence on the price of wine;
  • The influence of local regulations, international agreements and exchange rate fluctuations on the price of wine;
  • The various stakeholders in the wine industry, from production to final consumer;
  • The wine supply chain;
  • The main marketing strategies applied to wine.
In-Class Delivery Mode: None Videoconference Delivery Mode : 8 hours Examination time : 1 hour Examination: Open-question exam

For each of the regions covered, you will learn:

  • Describe the growing environment, local grape growing practices, and traditional winemaking and ageing techniques;
  • Explain how the above factors influence the style, quality and price of the principal still wines of the world;
  • Explain how wine law, regulation and business influence the style, quality and price of the principal wine regions;
  • Evaluate the different marketing options for the world’s leading wines;
  • Describe and evaluate the world’s leading wines using the WSET® Level 4 Systemic Approach to Tasting Wine (SAT).
(The main wine regions of the following countries will be covered: France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, USA, Canada, Chili, Argentina, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and China) In-Class Delivery Mode: 15 days (+2 at our Bordeaux campus) Videoconference Delivery Mode: None Examination time : Day 1 – 3.3 hours / Day 2 – 3 hours Examination : Day 1 – Five open questions on theoretical concepts / Day 2 – Blind sensory tasting exam of 12 wines

For each of the regions covered, you will learn:

  • Describe the growing environment, grape growing and winemaking options involved in the production of the principal sparkling wines;
  • Explain how the above factors influence the style, quality and price of the principal sparkling wines;
  • Explain how industry structure, regulations and labelling terms and wine business influence the style, quality and price of the principal sparkling wines;
  • Describe and evaluate the principal sparkling wines using the WSET® Level 4 Systemic Approach to Tasting Wine (SAT).
(The main wine regions of the following countries will be covered: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Chili, Argentina, and the USA) In-Class Delivery Mode:1 day Videoconference Delivery Mode: 1.5 hours Examination time : 1.5 hours Examination : Open-question exam + blind sensory tasting exam of 3 wines

For each of the regions covered, you will learn:

  • Describe the growing environment, grape growing and winemaking options involved in the production of the principal fortified wines;
  • Explain how the above factors influence the style, quality and price of the principal fortified wines;
  • Explain how industry structure, regulations and labelling terms and wine business influence the style, quality and price of the principal fortified wines;
  • Describe and evaluate the principal fortified wines using the WSET® Level 4 Systemic Approach to Tasting Wine (SAT).
(The main wine regions of the following countries will be covered: France, Portugal, Spain, and Australia) In-Class Delivery Mode: 2 days Videoconference Delivery Mode: 1.5 hours Examination time: 1.5 hours Examination : Open-question exam + blind sensory tasting exam of 3 wines

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the specified subject using relevant source material;
  • Evaluate relevant source material to develop ideas and arguments and to reach informed conclusions ;
  • Produce a Research Assignment per the required written presentation standards set out in the assignment brief.
Class Delivery Mode: None Examination : Independent Research Assignment with a submission deadline.

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WSET® Level 4 Diploma in Wines: Study Materials

Upon registration to the WSET® Level 4 Diploma in Wines, you will have access to an online space to find all the resources you need to prepare, practice and successfully pass your exam.

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A course that combines theory and tasting sensory training.

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