WSET, the global leader in drinks education, has published the complete list of wines used in its 2025/2026 Diploma tasting exams, revealing a line-up that included Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 2014, a prestige cuvée retailing at more than £150 per bottle and the first en rama sherry ever used in a Diploma exam. Wines from some of the world's most respected wine regions also featured in the exams.
WSET's flagship Level 4 Diploma in Wines includes six units, three of which feature tasting exams. The wines are selected to test candidates' ability to assess quality, style and origin through blind tasting.
- D3: Wines of the World
- D4: Sparkling Wines
- D5: Fortified Wines
These units challenge students to analyse and evaluate a diverse range of wines through blind tasting, supported by extensive theoretical knowledge. Exams took place between October 2025 and June 2026 at WSET Diploma centres around the world.
The D3 Wines of the World papers featured producers from some of the world's most respected wine regions, including Dönnhoff in Germany's Nahe, G.D. Vajra in Piemonte and South Africa's Lismore Estate.
June's D4 Sparkling Wines exam included Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 2014. The prestige cuvée vintage Champagne, which retails for more than £150 per bottle, was assessed blind by candidates as part of the 2025/26 Diploma exam cycle.
January's D5 Fortified Wines exam featured Barbadillo Manzanilla Pasada En Rama De La Pastora, marking the first time WSET has included an en rama sherry in a Diploma exam. The inclusion reflects growing interest in en rama styles, which are bottled directly from the cask with minimal intervention and are typically unfined and unfiltered.
Simon Milroy MW, WSET Diploma lead, qualifications, said: "The wines chosen for each examination are designed to provide a fair and rigorous test of candidates' tasting and analytical skills. By including a wide spectrum of grape varieties, regions, styles and quality levels, we ensure candidates have the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the modern wine world."
All wines are tasted blind and assessed by expert panels that include Masters of Wine, experienced WSET Diploma holders and senior educators as part of the selection process. Their collective expertise helps uphold the high standards and global reputation of the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines
Wines were selected from 11 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Australia, South Africa, Argentina, New Zealand, England and the United States. Flights were designed to test both classic regional knowledge and contemporary wine trends.
In total, 39 wines were poured for tasting:
- 24 for D3: Wines of the World
- 9 for D4: Sparkling Wines
6 for D5: Fortified Wines
The full list for the WSET Diploma tasting wines 2025/2026
D3: Wines of the World
France
- Domaine Chatelain / Pouilly Fumé ‘Les Chailloux’ Silex / 2023 / Loire Valley
- Georges Dubœuf / Beaujolais Villages Domaine des Trois Vallons / 2022 / Beaujolais
- Maison Jean Loron / Domaine de Cornillac Beaujolais / 2024 / Beaujolais
- Domaine de Colette / Moulin-à-Vent ‘Le Mont’ / 2023 / Beaujolais
- Domaine la Bouïsière / 2022 / Gigondas, Southern Rhône
- Schlumberger / Princes Abbés Gewurztraminer / 2023 / Alsace
Germany
- Dönnhoff / Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spätlese / 2023 / Nahe
Italy
- Monte del Frà / Valpolicella Ripasso Classico ‘Lena di Mezzo’ / 2021 / Veneto
- Pio Cesare / Dolcetto d'Alba / 2024 / Piemonte
- Vigne Marina Coppi / Sant'Andrea Barbera / 2022 / Piemonte
- G.D. Vajra / Barolo Ravera / 2020 / Piemonte
Spain
- Campo Viejo / Reserva / 2018 / Rioja
- Torres / De Casta Rosado / 2024 / Catalunya
USA
- Groth / Sauvignon Blanc / 2023 / Napa Valley, California
Portugal
- Quintas do Homem / Vale do Homem Branco / 2024 / Vinho Verde
Argentina
- Luigi Bosca / Torrontés / 2025 / Salta
South Africa
- Klippenkop / Pinotage / 2023 / Robertson
- Lismore Estate / Chenin Blanc / 2022 / Western Cape
- Ataraxia / Sauvignon Blanc / 2025 / Walker Bay
Australia
- Grosset / Polish Hills Riesling / 2024 / Clare Valley, South Australia
- Petaluma / White Label Cabernet Sauvignon / 2019 / Coonawarra, South Australia
- Tyrrell's / Vat 1 Semillon / 2018 / Hunter Valley, New South Wales
- Thistledown / Old Vine Grenache / 2023 / South Australia
New Zealand
- Esk Valley Estate / Sauvignon Blanc / 2024 / Marlborough
D4: Sparkling Wines
France
- Henriot / Brut Millésime / 2015 / Champagne
- Taittinger / Comtes de Champagne / 2014 / Champagne
Germany
- Dr. von Bassermann-Jordan / Riesling Brut / NV / Pfalz
Italy
- Cantina Sacchetto / Extra Dry / NV / Veneto
- Ca’di Alte / Prosecco Rosado / 2024 / Veneto
Spain
- Sumarroca / Gran Reserva / 2021 / Catalunya
USA
• Louis Roederer / Quartet Rosé / NV / Anderson Valley, California
England
• Hambledon / Brut / NV / Hampshire
Australia
• House of Arras / Brut Elite 1601 / NV / Tasmania
D5: Fortified Wines
Portugal
- Blandy's / 10 Year Old Sercial / NV / Madeira
- Henriques & Henriques / 10 Year Old Malvasia / NV / Madeira
- Blandy's / Duke of Clarence / NV / Madeira
France
- Domaines de Bernardins / Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise / 2023 / Rhône Valley
Spain
- Barbadillo / Manzanilla Pasada En Rama De La Pastora / NV / Jerez
Bodegas Lustau / Amontillado del Puerto Almacenista Gonzàlez Obregón / NV / Jerez