Color of Wine: Development of Reference Grids/Templates for Sensory Analysis With Trained Assessors

Color of wine gives information on many aspects of the product, and it is one of the main parameters defining wine quality. Consequently, color is an important attribute described in the Designations of Origin (PDO)'s technical specifications. In this paper, color reference grids for color sensory evaluation of white, rosé and red wines (linked to a specific methodology and controlled illumination) are developed, presented, and validated. The color intensity and color hue parameters of 2353 wines of different types have been analyzed using these reference grids during the period 2021–2023. Considering the results obtained, the usefulness of having a double color measurement (color intensity and color hue) is questioned and discussed.