WSET Level 4 Diploma - D5 Fortified Wines Exam Resit - Napa Valley Wine Academy

WSET Level 4 Diploma | D5 Fortified Wine

In the D5 unit of the WSET Level 4 Diploma program, students explore fortified wines of the world, including Sherry, Port, Madeira, Vins Doux Naturels, and Rutherglen Muscat, through theoretical and practical study.

Prerequisites: You must be enrolled in the WSET Level 4 Diploma program and have taken the D1 and D2 exams (receipt of results not required).

A list of recommended wines to taste will be provided with this course. An optional D5 wine kit is available and includes 18 curated 100mL wine samples, which are tasted during class sessions throughout the course.

For a link to purchase the kit, and future course webinar and exam dates, please see the "What's Included" section below.

 

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Embark on a comprehensive journey through the complex and nuanced world of fortified wines in the D5 unit of the WSET Level 4 Diploma. This module provides an in-depth exploration of fortified wine styles, including Sherry, Port, Madeira, Vins Doux Naturels, and Rutherglen Muscat.

Peter Marks

VP of Education & Partner Master of Wine, WSET-Certified, Instructor

Peter Marks, Master of Wine, is an internationally respected wine industry consultant and educator based in the Napa Valley. Marks is one of only 52 Masters of Wine residing in the United States and one of 390 in the world. The prestigious Master of Wine (MW) title is bestowed by the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) in London. Marks received his MW designation in 1995 when he became the 10th American to pass. That year he also became the first American to receive the Madame Bollinger Foundation Award, which is bestowed annually to the MW candidate with the highest blind tasting score. From 2008 to 2019 Marks was Vice President of Education for Constellation Brands, overseeing programs such as the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) for employees and customers. He implemented a diverse education curriculum delivered both in-person and online. Before joining Constellation Wines, he was the Senior Vice President of Wine at Copia: The American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts in Napa, where he was responsible for all wine sales and education programs. Previous to working at Copia Marks was the Chief Wine Merchant at Wine.com, a wine Internet retailer serving more than 40 states. For 15 years prior, Marks was Director of Wine for the upscale Draeger’s Supermarkets located in Northern California. Marks graduated from the University of California at Davis in 1976 with a B.S. degree with highest honors in Food Service Management. His personal interest in wine led him to the wine trade in 1981. Marks is on the Education and Exam Board of the Institute of Masters of Wine, he is the Panel Chair of the Practical (Tasting) Exam for the Institute of Masters of Wine and he judges many international wine competitions. He is also a member of the Society of Wine Educators, teaches wine classes independently and through the Napa Valley Wine Academy, and he assists with many charitable fundraisers throughout the year. Marks enjoys riding his bike in the Napa Valley, especially up Mt. Veeder and through the beautiful vineyards.

Noelle Hale

dipWSET, Diploma Manager, Instructor

Noelle’s passion for wine began on a trip to New Zealand, when she discovered Marlborough makes a lot more than just Sauvignon Blanc. When she got back home, she signed up for her first WSET class and leveraged that qualification to get hired in a tasting room. Eventually she began working as a distributor sales rep and completed her WSET Diploma in 2019. She has been teaching WSET classes for the Napa Valley Wine Academy since 2017 and took over running the WSET Diploma program in 2021. She's currently a student in the MW program, so when she's not studying, you can find her running, cooking or playing with her corgi, Pal.

As the largest and most awarded WSET provider in the USA, Napa Valley Wine Academy is recognized globally for excellence in wine education. With accolades such as the Riedel Global Wine Educator of the Year, we ensure the highest educational standards, supported by expert instructors and comprehensive digital resources.

  • Six live, instructor-led webinars delivered via Zoom
  • Access to the WSET's D5 textbook and NVWA's proprietary online classroom, containing additional resources including videos, mock exam questions, vocab lists, opportunities for graded answers, and more
  • Recordings of all sessions for flexible learning
  • Twice-weekly open office hours with our Diploma Program Director, Noelle Hale. Bring your questions!
  • Registration for the next available D5 exam date
  • A list of recommended wines to taste

An optional 18-sample tasting kit (100mL vials) is available for purchase on our partner, Small Lot Bottles, website. The kit will contain the wines tasted during D5 classes and is useful for calibration with the class instructor.

WSET Level 4 D5 Webinar Schedule & Exam Dates

  • Course Start: April 6, 2026 — 6 sessions: 4/8/26, 4/15/26, 4/22/26, 4/29/26, 5/6/26, 5/13/26 (Wed 5-7pm PST)
  • Exam Jun 10, 2026

  • Course Start: August 17, 2026 — 6 sessions: 8/19/26, 8/26/26, 9/2/26, 9/16/26, 9/23/26, 9/30/26 (Wed 5-7pm PST)
  • Exam Oct 20, 2026

  • Course Start: Nov 2, 2026 — 6 sessions: 11/4/26, 11/11/26, 11/18/26, 12/2/26, 12/9/26, 12/16/26 (Wed 5-7pm PST)
  • Exam: Jan 20, 2027

The course covers the production techniques, cultural significance, and sensory evaluation of fortified wines. Through guided tastings using the optional wine kit and expert instruction, students will learn to identify and assess the quality and style of various fortified wines.

  • Online interactive webinars

In-person Exam

You are automatically registered for the next available in-person exam in Napa, CA upon course enrollment, but you may change your exam date within your course Exam Options page. Click here to see all exam options.

Attempting the exams for the WSET Level 4 Diploma units D1 and D2 is required before enrolling in this course (you do not have to have received your results yet though).

  • Engage with peers and instructors through the WSET Online Global Campus
  • Take advantage of additional preparatory materials and mock exams to ensure exam readiness

Enhance your professional wine credentials with the WSET Level 4 Diploma at Napa Valley Wine Academy. Here, your passion for wine education will evolve into expertise, enabling you to excel in the wine industry.

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