Vitis vinifera, known as the common grape vine, represents one of the most important fruit crops in the world. Romania is a wine-producing country with a rich and long tradition in viticulture. In the last decade, increasing reports of damage caused by grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs) have raised concerns in all wine producing countries. Up to now, no study was performed regarding the GTDs situation in Romania, an important grapevine grower in Europe. In this study, we aim, after a comprehensive presentation of the fungal GTDs worldwide, to review the scientific information related to these diseases in Romania in order to open a national platform in an international framework. In order to achieve this, we consulted over 500 references from different scientific databases and cited 309 of them. Our review concludes that, in Romania, there is little amount of available literature on this matter. Three out of six fungal GTDs are reported and well documented in all of the Romanian viticultural zones (except for viticultural zone 4). These are Eutypa dieback, Phomopsis dieback, and Esca disease. Of the fungal pathogens considered responsible Eutypa lata, Phomopsis viticola and Stereum hirsutum are the most studied and well documented in Romania. Management measures are quite limited, and they mostly include preventive measures to stop the GTDs spread and the removal of affected grapevines.

Italian Riesling is a grapevine (Vitis vinifera) cultivar widely grown in Transylvania vineyards. During the winemaking process, grape pomace (GP) is generated. This study aimed to exploit the potential of the Italian Riesling GP through its composition in polyphenols and fatty acids, as well as its antioxidant activity. Thus, two Italian Riesling GPs from two distinct Transylvanian microclimates (Crăciunelu de Jos and Ciumbrud) were analysed in terms of their phenolic and fatty acid composition and antioxidant activity while considering the influence of their respective microclimates. Every vineyard has unique geographical and meteorological characteristics that significantly influence grape production and consequently the structure of the resultant pomace. For example, Ciumbrud has a warmer, drier microclimate, whereas Crăciunelu de Jos has a colder, more humid environment. Biochemically, GP from Ciumbrud Italian Riesling grapes (RICI) contained greater amounts of gallic acid, total phenolic acids, and procyanidins and presented improved antioxidant activities, as reflected by DPPH˙, ABTS˙⁺, CUPRAC, and FRAP assays. RICI pomace also possessed a better fatty acid profile with higher oleic and linolenic acid levels, leading to a lower thrombogenicity index (TI) and a better PUFAω-6/PUFA ω-3 ratio. However, GP produced from Crăciunelu de Jos Italian Riesling grapes (RICR) possessed more catechin, epicatechin, epicatechin gallate, total flavanols, and higher COX values. The findings demonstrate that the two GPs have significant and distinct nutritional content, highlighting them as valuable resources for food consumption, providing benefits to consumers’ health.

Knowledge about the geographical areas preferred by grapevine moths, the size of the populations, and the attraction to certain cultivars supports winegrowers for a better zoning of vineyards and vine cultivars, which is in continuing dynamic due to the climate change. Grapevine moths Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiffermüller) and Eupoecilia ambiguella (Hübner) are the main pests of grapes in the Târnave vineyard. For this reason, the influence of the cultivar in the climatic conditions of 2016–2019 period on the dynamics of the two moths species was evaluated in five plantations (Jidvei, Șona, Sâmniclăuș, Tăuni and Cenade) from Târnave vineyards on five cultivars Fetească regală, Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, Traminer and Rhine Riesling. During the studied period, the climate experienced deviations from the multiannual values. Our results highlight different activities of the two moth species. The number of captures was influenced by climatic conditions, geographical area and grape cultivar. L. botrana prefers drier climates, lower geographical areas and Traminer cultivar; meanwhile, E. ambiguella prefers wetter climates, higher hilly areas and the Sauvignon blanc cultivar. These findings are important in the general context of grapevine protection in order to reduce the use of pesticides by choosing the right cultivars in the appropriate climate conditions.

Grape pomace (GP), a significant by-product of winemaking, is gaining increasing recognition for its potential as a source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant and cardioprotective properties. This study aimed to characterize the polyphenolic profile, fatty acid composition, and antioxidant activity of 17 GP samples from Transylvanian cultivars. Polyphenolic content was determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu method and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC–DAD–ESI MS) analysis. Fatty acid composition was analyzed using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC–FID). Antioxidant capacity was assessed using five methods, which included the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothialzoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), and reducing power (RP) assays. Additionally, all extracts were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to identify the presence of functional groups and chemical bonds associated with bioactive compounds. The results showed that Neuburger (NE), Radames (RA), and Regent (RE) cultivars had the highest phenolic concentrations, particularly of catechin, epicatechin, and procyanidin dimers. NE and Feteascǎ Regalǎ (FR) exhibited the greatest radical scavenging and electron transfer activities across multiple antioxidant assays. Rose Blaj (RB) and Astra (AS) displayed the most favorable fatty acid profiles, with high unsaturated-to-saturated fatty acid (UFA/SFA) and hypocholesterolemic-to-hypercholesterolemic fatty acid (H/H) ratios, as well as low atherogenicity (AI) and thrombogenicity (TI) indices, suggesting cardioprotective potential. Additionally, RB and NE cultivars also demonstrated a strong chelation of Cu²⁺ and Fe²⁺ ions, enhancing their antioxidant efficacy by mitigating metal-catalyzed oxidative stress. These findings underscore the potential of GP, particularly from NE, RB, RA, and AS cultivars, the last three of which were homologated in Transylvania at SCDVV Blaj, as valuable sources of health-promoting compounds for use in food, nutraceuticals, and other health-related applications.

This study investigates millerandage, a physiological disorder affecting grapes during their development. In the climate change context, millerandage can become a viticultural hazard problem causing yield drops and posing challenges regarding wine quality due to uneven ripening in grape clusters. Using the 2023 vintage data from the Research Station for Viticulture and Enology Blaj (SCDVV Blaj), Târnave wine region, Romania, we assessed the climate conditions of 2023, focusing on the adverse climatic conditions from the flowering phenophase and the observed millerandage grade that occurred as a consequence. A total of 26 grapevine cultivars were monitored, assessing millerandage grade by field observations carried out in two grapevine plantations (S1 and S2) in July (BBCH 79) and September (BBCH 87). The results show statistically significant differences, with cultivars like Ezerfurtu (Ez), Napoca (Na), and Rhin Riesling (RR) exhibiting a millerandage grade higher than 35%, while cultivars like Pinot noir (PN) and Pinot gris (PG) showed resilience, with millerandage grades below 1%. These findings highlight cultivar-specific vulnerabilities and provides insights into millerandage’s role as a climate change challenge in viticulture.

Background: Grape pomace (GP), a by-product of winemaking, is a rich source of bioactive polyphenols known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. While the cardiovascular benefits of red grape pomace have received significant scientific attention, the therapeutic potential of white grape pomace remains largely unexplored, particularly in glucocorticoid-induced hypertension. Given the rising prevalence of hypertension and the oxidative-inflammatory mechanisms underlying its progression, this study investigates the effects of white GP on blood pressure regulation, oxidative stress, and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in an experimental model of dexamethasone (DEXA)-induced hypertension (HTN). By focusing on white GP, this research addresses a significant gap in current knowledge and proposes a novel, sustainable approach to managing hypertension through valorising winemaking by-products. Methods: The first concentration used, GP1, was 795 mg polyphenols/kg bw, while the second concentration, GP2, was 397.5 mg polyphenols/kg bw. Results: White GP polyphenols extract in the DEXA_GP1 group had reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The extract with a higher content of polyphenols (GP1) prevented the elevation of serum levels of total oxidative stress (TOS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and oxidative stress index (OSI), while the extract with a lower content of polyphenols (GP2) slightly reduced serum levels of MDA. Both concentrations of GP increased serum levels of NO and Total Thiols, significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in the group treated with lisinopril. The serum levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) increased in all groups where HTN was induced. Both doses of GP extract prevented the elevation of TNF-α. Heart tissue levels of the studied cytokines (TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 were not influenced (p > 0.05) by either the HTN induction or the treatment administered. Conclusions: These findings suggest that grape pomace may serve as a promising nutraceutical intervention for hypertension management, particularly in conditions associated with oxidative stress.