WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines®

The WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines aims to give students specialist knowledge and understanding of the core principles of production and business of wine. Diploma graduates will have the product knowledge and the analytical tasting skills to explain and evaluate wines.

The Wine Studio is launching the first ever Diploma course in Spain. Applicants will need to read all the information given here (the Specifications, the Programme as well as the associated information found on our website) and follow the application process detailed below.

APPLICATION TIMELINE

• 12/04 – 25/04: Online preregistration period
• 26/04 – 26/05: Internal application analysis and candidate interviews
• 27/05: Communication of the application results
• 27/05 – 27/06: Final inscription and full payment online*

*A discounted price of 8.950€ will be applied for Level 3 Alumni of The Wine Studio.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Given the high number of candidates interested in taking the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines at The Wine Studio, we have designed a selection process to ensure the greatest possibility of success of the 16 students who will eventually be chosen for the programme.

The process is based on the following criteria:

• WSET Level 3 Award in Wines final exam grade
• English language level (see Language section below)
• An interview with the Head of Studies conducted in English
• Participation in previous Diploma workshops carried out at The Wine Studio
• The Wine Studio Level 3 Alumni

LEARNING OUTCOMES

D1 – Wine production:

• Understand what the vine requires to produce and ripen grapes for wine production and how the growing environment influences the vine’s ability to produce and ripen grapes.
• Understand grape growing options.
• Understand winemaking options and how they influence the style, quality and price of wines.

D2 – Wine business:

• Understand the factors that contribute to the price of wine.
• Understand the types of businesses engaged in the production of wine and options for getting wine to the point of sale.
• Understand key considerations in wine marketing.

D3 – Wines of the world:

• Understand how the growing environment, grape growing options, winemaking options, wine law and regulation, and wine business influence the style, quality and price of the principal wines of the world.
• Demonstrate the ability to taste and evaluate wines from the principal wine regions accurately.

D4 – Sparkling wines:

• Understand how the growing environment, grape growing options, winemaking options, industry associations and labelling terms, and wine business influence the style, quality and price of the principal sparkling wines of the world.
• Demonstrate the ability to taste and evaluate sparkling wines accurately.

D5 – Fortified wines:

• Understand how the growing environment, grape growing options, winemaking options, industry associations and labelling terms, and wine business influence the style, quality and price of the principal fortified wines of the world.
• Demonstrate the ability to taste and evaluate fortified wines accurately.

D6 – Independent research assignment:

• Research a specified wine-related subject.

LANGUAGE

The WSET Level 4 Diploma is ONLY TAUGHT IN ENGLISH. Candidates whose first language is not English should have IELTS at 6.5 / B2-C1 CEFR or above or be able to demonstrate an equivalent ability level. If you are uncertain about the language skills required to start the course, you can contact us and check your level at one of the following websites:

https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/test-your-english/
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/online-english-level-test

ASSESSMENT

To complete the Diploma you must pass all six units, successfully meeting the rigorous assessment requirements across the syllabus. All exams will be held in Madrid. Assessment varies by Unit:

D1 – Wine production. December 2024
1½ hour closed-book examination made up of open-response questions

D2 – Wine business. March 2025
1 hour closed-book examination made up of open-response questions

D4 – Sparkling wines. June 2025
1½ hour closed-book examination made up of open-response questions and a blind tasting of three sparkling wines

D5 – Fortified wines. October 2025
1½ hour closed-book examination made up of open-response questions and a blind tasting of three fortified wines

D3 – Wines of the world. May 2026
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)

D6 – Independent research assignment. July 2026
A single 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 the WSET Alumni Body, with access to their quarterly reports and a number of exclusive events.