Tasting Information
Tasting at Level 4
As you work through this course, you are advised to taste a range of wines using WSET's Systematic Approach to Tasting®. This is to help prepare you for the tasting component of your exam. There are two structured ways you can practice your tasting skills in this online course:
- There are tasting activities in almost every week of this course that you can complete at home. The majority of these give you the opportunity to receive feedback from your educator.
- Your course provider is expected to provide at least one live tasting workshop - please contact your course provider directly for details.
Of course, you are also encouraged to practise tasting wine and writing tasting notes on your own time during this course. Whenever you open a bottle, take a moment to consider the wine using the SAT before you relax and enjoy!
Tasting Samples
The Specification for this course provides an extensive list of recommended tasting samples. These are recommended, not compulsory, samples and we understand that it may not be possible for students studying online to source all of the samples listed. Using the information and activities provided in this course and the opportunities to receive feedback from your educator will prepare you for your tasting exam, even if you cannot source all the recommended samples in the Specification.
Based on the recommended tasting samples listed in the Specification, we recommend a minimum of two samples per each week of the course that are relevant to the region/s studied in that week. The D1 Wine List Download D1 Wine List includes a list of all samples recommended on the online course. You may want to review this list ahead of time so that you can plan and purchase your samples.
You can also find this information in the Preparation pages at the start of each new third of the course, and in the tasting activities for each week.
Although at least two samples are recommended to be tasted every week, you are always welcome to taste more than two. However, your online educator is only able to provide feedback on two tasting notes each week. Additional tasting notes that you write can be shared in the Tasting Forum, where your classmates can review and provide feedback on your tasting notes.
Should you need guidance in purchasing these samples or appropriate alternatives, ask your course provider. Alternatively, take the Specification to your local, reputable wine merchant for advice. Keep in mind that your educator can only provide feedback on tasting notes you submit by the weekly deadline; if you fall behind the suggested weekly module structure, your educator is not required to review your tasting notes.
For the tasting exercises in this course, you will also need to use the following documents:
- DOCUMENTS NOT SUPPLIED IN DEMO
Vinovae Samples
A French company called Vinovae has developed technology to re-bottle wines and spirits in 2cL and 5cL miniatures. Under their E-tasting brand, they have developed packs of miniatures to meet the needs of students studying the WSET Level 1, 2 and 3 Awards in Wines, and the WSET Level 1 and 2 Awards in Spirits. Although they have not yet developed packs for Level 4 Diploma, the content of the Level 3 pack covers many of the essential samples studied in Diploma. It therefore can be a convenient and affordable way to source some of the samples for the course.
For more details and to purchase these sample packs, please visit the e-tasting website, www.e-tasting.com.
Please note that after a successful launch in Europe, sample kits are now available in the USA for wine courses. Kits are composed of 50 ml wine samples from around the world and allow students to get ready for their exams (10 wines in Level 1, 40 in Level 2 and 64 in Level 3). Samples can be delivered in more than 40 States in only few days. If you are based in the USA, please visit: www.usa.e-tasting.com.
Tasting App
WSET has developed a tasting app to assist with your tasting experience. Any tasting notes you make on the app will not be marked by your educator or be visible to others, but they may be useful for personal study, practice and growth in your tasting observations. The app is designed to support tasting at Level 2, but can be used across all levels.
Select here to learn more and download the app for free on iOS or Android.