Wine is a natural product where some color variation is expected and accepted. High color comes from high anthocyanin content and high tannins associated with red wines. Color varies with wine processing practices, particularly fermentation temperature. Co-pigmentation in wine and berry colors, related to presence of anthocyanins, enhances the wine color.
White wine can also be measured for lot-to-lot color consistency. Of quality concern in white wines is “pinking”, a slight reddish tint to what is typically a yellow/green product.
Primary Color Quality Concerns of Wine Color
- Verification of lot-to-lot consistency in wine color, particularly with varietal blends.
- Monitoring color consistency over a season and from season-to-season.
- Monitoring the change in wine color over time.
Other Related Applications
Verification of lot-to-lot consistency in bottle glass color, natural and technical cork, caps, and metal foil covers.
The Nature of Anthocyanin Pigments in Red Wine
“Anthocyanin pigments are responsible for the red, purple, and blue colors of many fruits, vegetables, cereal grains, and flowers…. There is considerable anecdotal and epidemiological evidence that dietary anthocyanin pigments and polyphenolics may have preventive and therapeutic roles in a number of human diseases. Through the much publicized “French paradox”, the public has become aware that certain populations of red-wine drinkers in France and Italy have much lower rates of coronary heart disease (CHD) than their North American and Northern European counterparts. It is widely accepted that red wine phenolics contribute at least partly to this beneficial effect…” 
How red wine color changes over time relative to its original color is an important quality correlate to wine chemistry. The sweet time spot is typically around 20 years and color consistency to that point is important. Over time anthocyanins (mostly found in the skin of red grapes) change in color, starting as a deep red and gradually becoming a fine ruby red at 20 years. After 100 years, red wine will be a desaturated yellow as the anthocyanin colorants polymerize.  
As anthocyanins in red wine age with time, they break down to phenolics, which are also red pigmented, but not the same red. In addition, the breakdown of anthocyanins by oxidation occurs, creating yellow by-products. 
Traditional Metrics for Color Analysis of Red Wine Color 
Academic articles in food science tend to use CIE L*, a*, b*, C*, h D65/10 to measure wine color as this color scale can be used to measure any color.
There are also a couple of traditional metrics based on spectral data that are used to quantify red wine color over time.
- Undiluted wine is typically filtered (2 micron filter) to remove any residual solids.
- The wine sample is verified as being at a natural pH level prior to color measurement.
- A 10 mm path length transmission cell is typical used to measure light reds, rosés and most whites. Extremely deep reds may require a transmission cell with a 2 mm path length.
Standardize a CIE diffuse d/8 sphere instrument in Total Transmission mode using a transmission cell + DI water to set all spectral values across the visible spectrum to 100% transmission.
As a PQ Performance Qualification step, read back the cell + DI water and verify transmission at 420 and 520 and 620 nm wavelengths = 100% closely.
Fill cell with wine and measure spectral transmission [%], then convert to absorbance values, sums and ratios as follows:
- A420-nm and A520-nm and A620-nm
- Absorbance at A420-nm + A520-nm
These spectral points are used in the calculation of tradition red wine metrics based on the Sudraud Method.
Red Wine Colour Intensity (also called Red Wine Density) = A420-nm + A520-nm
Red Wine Colour Tone (also called Red Wine Hue and Red Wine Tint) = (A420-nm / A520-nm)
where: Absorbance at 520 nm will become lower as the red wine ages and oxidizes.
Lot-to-lot production color differences are often measured in CIE dL*, da*, db*, dC* dH, dE*, dE2000 D65/10, along with Haze% to measure scattering. 
- CIE L*, a*, b* D65/10 (of all illuminants, D65 shows purple values in wine the best).
- C* chroma is indicates the amount of color.
- h hue angle indicative of a hue shift.
- dE* total or dE2000 elliptical color difference relative to seasonal average or fixed standard color.
FAQ: “Can you analyze the color of turbid or cloudy wines?”
The scattering of light by internal scattering centers can interfere with accurate color measurement. Sphere-based colorimetric instruments are robust in measuring the color of wines that are transparent in color but may exhibit some slight scattering.
Particulates in turbid wine samples, such as fermenting wines, can be centrifuged. If very turbid (some grape juices), filtration after centrifuging may be required. 
If slight scattering in a transparent wine is a quality concern, this can be measured as Haze% or in correlated NTUs on a sphere colorimetric instrument.
FAQ: “There has been reference to using an NIR instrument to measure the concentration of anthocyanin which apparently can be measured in the NIR but visually shows up as the degree of redness or “color” in wine and grape juice. Can you tell me something about this?” 
See Red Wine Color Intensity and Tone.
FAQ – “Are there any visual standards for wine that can be used to check a colorimetric spectrophotometer?”
There are no industry color standards for wine. The only suggestion I can make is to purchase glass filters from a glass supplier with similar L, a, b values to wine color being measured. These colored filters could be used to monitor instrument performance over time in the wine color region of color space, adding confidence in the wine color measurements. 
FAQ: “What is the difference between the 420:520 ratio measurement of hue and CIE hue angle?”
The 420:520 hue ratio is based on two wavelengths: the 420 nm for indicating yellow and the 520 nm for red. In contrast, the CIE hue angle is based on the entire wine spectra. Hue angle is more descriptive of color nuance and, as a result, is more sensitive to subtle changes in wine chemistry and a more accurate representation of color present. What’s more, the CIE hue angle can describe any color. The 420:520 hue ratio is only appropriate for red wines. 
FAQ: ”Can you compare the same wine at two different dates?”
Yes, wine color information can be stored in a database, then retrieved for comparison against itself at different points in its life cycle of the product. The key lies in the goal and the timing of the initial sample. For color development at the winery, a good time to sample is when the wines are going to barrel. For tracking changes in color after shipment, samples should be taken at bottling. 
Commercial Testing Lab for Wine Color
St. Helena, CA USA
References that cite Wine Color
Pérez-Caballero, V., F. Ayala, J.R. Echávarri, and A.I. Negueruela. 2003. Proposal for a new standard OIV method for determination of chromatic characteristics of wine. Am. J. Enol. Vitic. 54:59-62.
There are some OIV methods in the Compendium of International Methods of Analysis of Wine and Musts – search on “wine color” at www.oiv.int .