The CIELAB color characteristics of 175 dry red wine samples from Northwest China were studied. Based on the visual characterization method of red wine color, the micro-quantitative classification and macro quantitative gradation of color quality of the tested wine samples were conducted. The results showed that the color characteristics of all wine samples had a certain degree of dispersion and differentiation, indicating that the characteristics of wine samples’ color were diversity, uniqueness and difference, which could be used as the basis of micro quantitative classification and macro quantitative gradation. The three color attributes (hue, chroma and lightness) were divided into five sub-classifications respectively according to their value ranges of 175 red wine samples. Totally 125 micro color classifications of wine samples were obtained, which could be applied to the digital description, transmission and comparison of color characteristics of red wines. Based on the sensory tendency of red wine color to build red wine color quality quantitative gradation method, wine samples were divided into six macro color grades. Compared with other classification and gradation methods, the micro-quantitative classification and macro-quantitative gradation method was simple, easy, standardized, objective and digital, and its grading effect was obvious, implying the value of application and promotion of the method was high.