© Wine & Spirit Education Trust

INDEPENDENT RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT

D6, WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines

Assignment 1: January 2024 submission – low- and no-alcohol ‘wine’

Context

Interest in the low- and no-alcohol ‘wine’ category has increased in recent years. Whereas wine has minimum

legal requirements for abv., products in the low- and no- category are technically ‘wine-based products’ that have

had the alcohol reduced or removed following the alcoholic fermentation, and there are different methods of

accomplishing this. Although this is undeniably a developing category, it remains to be seen what the future

holds.

[See below for required sections and allocation of marks]

Instructions for candidates

• Assignments must adhere to the word count of 3,000 words. A tolerance of 10% will be allowed which

means the research assignment should be no fewer than 2,700 words and no longer than 3,300 words in

length. The word count excludes references, bibliography, appendices, diagrams or tables.

• Candidates must include a bibliography showing the sources used to research the topic.

• Candidates are reminded of the need to draw on a range of sources in their assignment and that it will be

necessary to read around the subject matter. It will not be sufficient to rely solely on the Diploma

materials. There should be clear evidence of critical analysis of the source material and well-reasoned

personal commentary, together with relevant examples to support the points made.

• There are 100 marks available, of which 15 are allocated to presentation (spelling, grammar, legibility,

bibliography and referencing) and answer structure/style (coherence, flair, fluency and use of examples).

Footnotes, references and appendices must be used correctly. Candidates are advised to read the D6

Independent Research Assignment Guidelines before starting their research.

• Candidates must address all required sections and gain a minimum overall mark of 55% to qualify for a

pass grade.

Required sections and allocation of marks

Candidates must address the following required sections with reference to the low- and no-alcohol category of

wine-based products:

1) An exploration of the reasons for the growth of this category. (25% weighting)

2) An evaluation of the different post-fermentation options for reducing or removing alcohol and how

these impact final style, quality and price. (35% weighting)

3) A personal opinion on the future of the category. (25% weighting)

15% weighting is allocated to presentation and structure, as outlined in Instructions for candidates above.