In July of 2025 I decided to enroll myself into the diploma in wines course, better known as WSET 4. This in-depth course of the wine world is very demanding of its participants, so it was with great excitement, but also with some nervosity that I started with the D1 part in September. There are 6 parts to take, and pass of course, in order to obtain the diploma well recognized throughout the field. As of this writing I am waiting on my exam results to return from the D1 Wine Production exam, studying for the D2 Wine Business exam and starting the D6 research on the topic of orange wines. Of all the 6 sections, D3 Wines of the World is by far the most challenging part. After this the parts of D4 and D5 should be relatively easier to pass.
However, none of the sections should be underestimated and it all comes down to time management. Studying for the D1 exam and participating in the online group activities has led me to believe that the Diploma course has the time frame of a part-time job, on top of your actual job, homelife and other parts of your life. In that sense the word ‘marathon’ is very fitting. In the weeks leading up to the exam of D1 I did struggle to grasp the knowledge needed for Wine Production. That is to say for my feeling anyway, because I never feel like I understand everything in enough, when in reality I might have enough knowledge to pass with merit or distinction, as been with my WSET 3 exams and the sommelier-exams here in the Netherlands.
The chemical approach of D1 often left me wonder if this was the path that I wanted my career to take. I just want to deepen my knowledge of wine as much as I can, and with studying D1 I often felt it was not about wine anymore. With this conflicting in my mind, I went and sat down at the table to take my D1 exam (results are still pending at the moment of this writing). After the exam we did a short introduction round and then we started tasting according to the WSET 4 method when it happened. Learning this method, methodically tasting the wines and most of all, listening to the passionate words of the Master of Wine, I felt it. I felt my excitement, my passion, my hunger for knowledge grown and become more alive than ever! I am very sure that this is the path I want to take my career on, and I look forward on sharing all the excitement, the achievements, but also the struggles here on this new blog about my journey to the WSET Level 4, Diploma in Wines!
Discover more from Gettinghotforwine
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
