From Pomerol to Yellow Tail: WSET Reveals Diploma Tasting Line-Up for the First Time

For years, candidates in WSET’s Diploma exams have been left to wonder what exactly they were drinking as they scribbled their tasting notes. Now, for the first time, the education body has revealed the entire line-up of wines for the diploma tasting exams, opening a window onto its selection logic and testing philosophy.

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), the world’s leading drinks education provider, has grown steadily since surpassing 108,000 students globally in the 2020/21 academic year; by 2023/24, enrolment had reached 134,000. A total of 1,962 candidates from 19 countries sat the Diploma exam last year, and more than 130,000 students worldwide have now earned the qualification.

This marks the first time in the organisation’s fifty-plus year history that it has revealed the wines behind its toughest qualification. The disclosure offers a rare glimpse into the logic of wine selection and assessment underpinning this globally recognised credential.

The WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines comprises six units, three of which feature tasting exams: D3 Wines of the World, D4 Sparkling Wines, and D5 Fortified Wines. These exams require candidates to analyse and evaluate wines blind, backed by sound theoretical knowledge.

In D3 Wines of the World, 24 wines from 11 countries were selected. France leads with seven entries, followed by Italy, the United States, and—unexpectedly—Austria, with three wines each. Australia contributed two wines, while Spain, South Africa, New Zealand, Germany, Chile, and Argentina each supplied one.

The sparkling wine selection was more evenly distributed: nine wines across seven countries, with France and Italy each represented by two, and Germany, Spain, South Africa, the United States, and Australia one apiece.

The fortified wines unit was dominated by the Iberian Peninsula: Spain contributed four Sherries, while Portugal led with five Ports and Madeiras.

The range encompasses both prestigious and mass-market labels. In D3, for instance, a Lalande-de-Pomerol and a Pauillac shared the stage with Australia’s commercial bestseller Yellow Tail. This demonstrates that price is not the key determinant; what matters is whether the wines align with the Diploma syllabus and illustrate today’s wine world. As Simon Milroy MW, Diploma Programme Director at WSET, explained: the aim is to present students with styles and qualities that best reflect the current global wine landscape.

It is important to note that this wine list only applies to exams held between October 2024 and June 2025. Like exam questions, the wines change each year, meaning next year’s candidates will face a completely new line-up.

This disclosure, then, is less a permanent guide than a snapshot—a temporary exhibition offering a glimpse of what recent candidates encountered. For students, educators, or the simply curious, it provides a rare look inside. But by next year, the glasses will hold something entirely different. In wine, as always, the only constant is change.

Scroll through the page to see the full list of wines: 

D3：Wines of the World

France

Baumard / Clos du Papillon / 2019 / Savennieres, Loire Valley

Château Haut-Rian / Blanc Sec / 2023 / Bordeaux

Château de Montmal / 2021 / Fitou, Languedoc

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande / Reserve / 2019 / Pauillac, Bordeaux

Château Siaurac / Plaisir de Siaurac / 2022 / Lalande de Pomerol, Bordeaux

Domaine Guillemarine / 2023 / Picpoul de Pinet, Languedoc

M Chapoutier / Marius Rosé / 2023 / Languedoc

Germany

Weingut Fredrich Becker / Family Pinot Noir / 2020 / Pfalz

Austria

Feiler Artinger / Ruster Ausbruch / 2017 / Burgenland

Heidi Schrőck & Sőhne / Blaufränkisch / 2022 / Burgenland

Weingut Fred Loimer / Ried Loiserberg 1er Grüner Veltliner / 2022 / Kamptal

Italy 

Donna Elvira / Settemazze Aglianico / 2018 / Campania

Tenuta La Volta / Cabutto Barolo / 2020 / Piemonte

Terre Antiche / Gavi di Gavi / 2023 / Piemonte

Spain 

Bodegas Torres / De Casta Rosado / 2022 / Catalunya

USA 

De Loach / Heritage Reserve Pinot Noir / 2022 / California

Hudson Wines / Estate Grown Chardonnay / 2021 / Carneros, California

Jackson Family / Edmeades Zinfandel / 2022 / Mendocino, California

Chile 

Costa Vera Indomita / Carmenere / 2024 / Central Valley

Argentina 

Vina Dona Paula / Altaluvia Chardonnay / 2020 / Mendoza

South Africa 

Steenberg / Sauvignon Blanc / 2023 / Constantia

Australia 

Casella Family / [yellow tail] Chardonnay / 2024 / South Eastern Australia

De Bortoli / Noble One / 2020 / Riverina

New Zealand 

Escarpment Wines / Te Rehua Pinot Noir / 2020 / Martinborough

D4：Sparkling Wines

France 

Fleury / Blancs de Noirs / NV / Champagne

Tarlant / Brut Nature Zero / NV / Champagne

Germany 

Dr Loosen / Sekt Extra Dry / NV

Italy 

Massolino / Moscato d’Asti / NV / Piemonte

Villa Cialdini / Grasparossa Castelvetro / 2024 / Lambrusco di Sorbara, Emilia Romagna

Spain 

Sumarroca / Cava Brut Reserva Rosado Organic / 2022 / Catalunya

USA 

Roederer Estate / Quartet Brut / NV / Anderson Valley, California

South Africa 

Krone / Borealis Cuvée Brut / 2022 / Tulbagh

Australia 

Jansz / Estate Cuvée / NV / Tasmania

D5：Fortified Wines

Portugal

Churchills / Dry White / NV / Douro

Croft / Fine Ruby / NV / Douro

Delaforce / Late Bottled Vintage / 2018 / Douro

Henriques & Henriques / 10 Year Old Sercial / NV / Madeira

Krohn / Quinta do Retiro Novo / 2011 / Douro

Spain

Bodegas Hidalgo / Napoleon Amontillado / NV / Jerez

Gonzalez Byass / Del Duque Amontillado 30 Year Old VORS / NV / Jerez

Gonzalez Byass / Tio Pepe Fino / NV / Jerez

Harveys / Solera Sherry ‘Bristol Cream’ / NV / Jerez