WSET LEVEL 4 DIPLOMA in Wines
The schedule for Diploma 2020-2021 has been published. You will find it here Diploma schedule 20_21.
Please sign up to course here >>
WSET Level 4 Diploma training is based on WSET Wine and Spirit Education Trust Diploma course. The Diploma training was first organised in Wine School Perho in 2001. Since then, 53 students have passed the course in Wine School Perho.
Increased interest in wines and Diploma trainings have created more expertise in professional wine culture in Finland. The four pioneering Finnish Master of Wine graduates have also acquired their skills in Wine School Perho. Wine School Perho has also brought many significant international lecturers to Finland.
Experiences from the training
Teemu Rinta-Mänty, wine entrepreneur and blogger (Copatinto):
“The Diploma has been a significant step forward in deepening my wine knowledge. The training offers an excellent possibility to widen and deepen one’s understanding of the world of wines in the guidance of experienced domestic and international top professionals. Not to forget about brilliant fellow students who support you and from whom you always learn new things.
During the studies you get to challenge yourself both in terms of time management, study methods and wine knowledge. Old perspectives and beliefs can be scrapped or redesigned as new, wider and fact-based ones spring up. The good reputation and respect the Diploma has earned arises from the high standard of the training. Getting the Diploma opens new doors, makes networking easier and, above all, gives a signal of strong expertise and commitment to my clients.”
Reetta Tamminen, Partner, Kattava Catering Lappeenranta:
”To me taking the Diploma has mainly been an opportunity to challenge myself and throw myself in to the matter. Excellent and committed teachers created an incredible ground for the training and managing the tight schedule of self-studies was rewarded with expected test results. Success improved motivation and made me eager to face new challenges. The Diploma gave both resources and self-confidence to train our staff and spread wine knowledge in tastings and trainings in the county.
The best thing about the Diploma has been fellow students, who have encouraged and supported me; people of different ages and backgrounds all facing the same challenges. It has been great to get to know new people who are as enthusiastic about wines as I am. Had I stayed at home, I would never had met them and I believe Knowing them will be useful and bring joy in the future.”
To enter the Diploma training, you need have done the WSET Level 3 Wines course. Level 3 course gives you a solid ground for learning the market mechanisms of the world of wines. Wines are the focal point of this course, as well. The systematic tastings includes ca. 400 wines in pedagogically designed units. The course language is English.
Contents
WSET Diploma training consists of the following units: D1 Wine Production, D2 Wine Business, D3 Wines of the World, D4 Sparkling Wines, D5 Fortified Wines and D6 Independent Research Assignment.
In Wine School Perho the lectures of D3 have been grouped by grapes, thus placing the grapes and the characteristics of different wine regions side by side. Italy and Spain form their own entities and, in addition, other wines of the New World are presented in their own lectures.
Description of the WSET Diploma >>
Further study material
The price of the course includes WSET study guides, with concise, but extensive coverage of theoretical aspects of the topics. In addition, it is necessary to familiarize oneself with some major publications in the field recommended by WSET. We also recommend that students acquire additional literature according to a list provided in the training.
Teachers in WSET Diploma training
• Dr. Matthias Schmitt of Geisenheim University is researcher focused in growing and making wine. Geisenheim is one of the most prestigious wine research institutes.
• Wine consultant and teacher, Master of Wine Frank Smulders is a specialist in Spanish and Alsatian wines and wine regions.
• Master of Wine Michael Palij runs Diploma trainings in Oxford and is a wine importer. Palij is specialized in French and Italian wines.
• Master of Wine Essi Avellan is our internationally renowned champagne expert.
• Master of Wine Heidi Mäkinen works in wine trade and is specialized wine education. She teaches all WSET levels at Wine School Perho PRO
• Jouko Mykkänen is the Educational Manager of Wine School Perho and writes articles on wines e.g. for Helsingin Sanomat.
Schedule WSET Level 4 Diploma 2020-2021
| Date | Venue | Subject | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | |||
| Fri 4.9. | Perho PRO | Intro to Diploma tasting | Michael Palij MW |
| Sat 5.9. | Perho PRO | Intro to Diploma exams | Michael Palij MW |
| Thu 10.9. | Geisenheim | D1 Viticulture & Vinification | Dr. Matthias Schmitt |
| Fri 11.9. | Geisenheim | D1 Viticulture & Vinification | Dr. Matthias Schmitt |
| Sat 12.9. | Mosel | D1, D3 Vineyard & Winery visits | DWI, Jouko Mykkänen |
| Sun 13.9. | Rheingau | D1, D3 Harvesting in practise & Winery visits | DWI, Jouko Mykkänen |
| Mon 14.9. | Pfalz, Baden | D1, D3 Vineyard & Winery visits | DWI, Jouko Mykkänen |
| Tue 15.9 | Alsace | D2 Wine Business; D3 Riesling, Alsace | CIVA; Frank Smulders MW |
| Wed 16.9. | Alsace | D3 Vineyard & Winery visit | CIVA; Frank Smulders MW |
| Thu 17.9. | Champagne | D4 Sparkling wines; Vineyard & Winery visits | Essi Avellan MW |
| Fri 18.9. | Champagne | D4 Vineyard & Winery visits; Study trip ends | Essi Avellan MW |
| Mon 28.9. | D1 Wine Production, EXAM 9.30 am, reg. by 10.9.2020 | ||
| Sat 21.11. | D4 Fortified wines | Heidi Mäkinen MW | |
| 2021 | |||
| Sat 16.1. | Exam practice D4 & D5 | Jouko Mykkänen | |
| Wed 20.1. | D4 & D5 EXAM, reg by 9.11.2020 | ||
| Fri 5.2. | D3 Chardonnay | Michael Palij MW | |
| Sat 6.2. | D3 Pinot Noir | Michael Palij MW | |
| Sat 6.3. | D3 | Austria, Hungary, Greece, Jura, Loire & Sauvignon Blanc | Frank Smulders MW |
| Sun 7.3. | D3 | Spain, Portugal | Frank Smulders MW |
| Wed 10.3. | D2 | Wine Business EXAM, reg by 22.2.2021 | |
| Thu 8.4. | D3 | Cabernet & Merlot | Michael Palij MW |
| Fri 9.4. | D3 | Italy | Michael Palij MW |
| Sat 10.4. | D3 | Italy | Michael Palij MW |
| Fri 16.4. | D3 | Syrah & Grenzche, South of France | Heidi Mäkinen MW |
| Sat 17.4. | D3 | New World Round-Up | Heidi Mäkinen MW |
| Fri 7.5. | D3 | Exam Practice | Jouko Mykkänen |
| Sat 8.5. | D3 | Exam Practice | Jouko Mykkänen |
| Wed 11.5. | D3 | EXAM, Theory, reg. by 8.3.2021 | |
| Thu 12.5. | EXAM, Theory, reg. by 8.3.2021 | ||
| Tue 8.6 | D2/D4/D5 | RE-EXAM, reg. by 1.4.2021 | |
| Fri 31.7 | D6 | Submission | |
Load schedule here: Perho PRO WSET Diploma schedule 20_21
Diploma studies update
Dear student interested in PerhoPro WSET Diploma 2020,
I hope you are all well and healthy.
I want to tell you how we are going to answer to the challenges the Covid-19 virus pandemia has created to your studies in WSET Diploma.
We originally planned a study trip in September. As the situation looks today, we have very meagre changes to be able to make that trip. There are many risks. First, we have a very uncertain picture of what will happen with the pandemia in the autumn. There might be restriction in travel around Europe, which would affect directly the trip. Secondly, if it would be possible to travel, there would be a great deal of uncertain factors regarding lectures and visits. The wineries cannot confirm at this stage that normal visits could be arranged. Thirdly but maybe the most important thing is that PerhoPro does not want to arrange anything that might in any way be a risk to your health.
Today we have a plan B regarding the studies in your WSET Diploma to ensure that the study program’s goals can be achieved in the pandemia situation.
The solution is to use “normal” and on-line distance learning systems in lectures, tastings and winery visits.
– The lectures and tastings will be held at Perho building classrooms
– The lecture rooms will be arranged so that there is enough space between students (minimum 2 meters). Probably this means two separate rooms, so you will be divided in two groups. Also, other precautions will be considered, for example the wines samples will be poured to you in order to minimize risk of contamination from the bottles.
– The teachers/wineries will give their presentations in Teams or Zoom. These are good tools for interactive teaching & learning. We will use data projectors in the classroom for the lectures.
– Some lectures will be held normally, for example MW Essi Avellan will be physically in the same (one big) room with you. Also, if possible, the other MW’s might to travel to Helsinki for lecturing.
– When the lecture is distance, we will send the same wine samples to the lecturer, so you will be able to discuss the wines properly.
– The winery visits will be virtual with Teams or Zoom. This includes interactive meetings with the winemakers, live video feed from the vineyards and wineries and sample tastings just as we would be physically in the winery. The wineries will send the samples to Helsinki for you to taste and the winemakers will taste the exact same wines live with you.
– We will increase the amount of winery visits. Originally the visits would have been only in Germany, Alsace and Champagne. Now we will try to arrange on-line winery visits in all lectures, eg. Bordeaux, Bourgogne, Toscana, Rioja, California etc.
I hope the above explained new arrangements will satisfy you.
Regarding the timetable for the autumn, there will be some changes as the study trip is probably not going to happen. However, we will start September 4th & 5th with MW Michael Palij.
best regards,
Jouko Mykkänen
WSETDipl
WSET Course Director
Wine School Perho Pro
Duration
The WSET Diploma programme can be completed within an academic year. The training sessions are carried out in units of one to three days in Wine School Perho. The total amount of contact learning is 23 days and 5 exam days. It is advised to reserve at least six days a month for self-study and before exams it is good to have plenty of time for preparation.
Exams
The WSET Diploma exams measure the versatility of students’ knowledge:
D1 Wine Production: multiple-part open response paper
D2 Wine Business: multiple-part open response paper
D3 Wines of the World, exam day 1: theory exam of open response/essay questions, day 2: tasting exam of 12 wines
D4 Sparkling Wines: multiple-part response questions, tasting of three wines
D5 Fortified Wines: multiple-part open response paper, tasting of three wines
D6 Independent Research Assignment: one research assignment of 3.000 words.
After passing all the exams you receive a WSET Certificate and a pin.
Price and terms of cancellation
The study fee is 7.200 € + VAT 24 % (8928 € incl. VAT 24 %). The price includes lectures according to the programme in Wine School Perho PRO and on the study trip, samples in tastings, practice exams and essays, WSET materials and exams. Retakes of exams are charged separately. Billing is done in four installments during the studies, two installments in the autumn and two in the spring. Participation in the course is binding after confirmation of starting the course.
Training venue
The training sessions are arranged in Perho PRO, Perhonkatu 11, Helsinki.
The participants will also study in Geisenheim Research Institute in Rheingau, Germany. The period will include both theoretical studies and tastings as well as visits to Rheingau vineyards and other wine regions nearby. The study trip will also take the students to the regions of Alsace and Champagne in France for relevant theory and vineyard/winery visits.
The study trip (travel and accommodation) is paid by the students. Wine School Perho PRO will not reserve flights or act as official travel organizer of the trip, but students will take care of these costs themselves. The preliminary cost of accommodation is 40-80 € / night). In addition, students will pay for field trips (charter bus/train) to vineyards. However, accommodation and charter buses/trains are booked jointly, so you do not have to book these separately.
Further information
Sirpa Vaahti, Education Coordinator
050 3100 787
sirpa.vaahti (at) perho.fi
