Many studies have been published in recent years regarding the fact that moderate wine consumption, as a part of a balanced diet can have a beneficial effect on human health. The biologically active components of wine continue to be the subject of intense research today. In this study, the bioactive molecules of Hungarian aszú from the Tokaj wine region were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and investigated in an in vitro model system of endothelial cells induced by bacterial-derived lipopolysaccharide. The HPLC measurements were performed on a reversed phased column with gradient elution. The non-cytotoxic concentration of the active substance was determined based on 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT)-, apoptosis, and necrosis assays. The antioxidant effect of the extract was determined by evaluating its ability to eliminate ROS. The expressions of the interleukin-(IL)1α, IL1-β, IL-6, and IL-8 pro-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) at the mRNA level were evaluated using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). We found that the lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced increases in the expressions of the investigated cytokines were significantly suppressed by Hungarian aszú extract, excluding IL-6. In our experimental setup, our treatment had a positive effect on the eNOS expression, which was impaired as a result of the inflammatory manipulation. In our experimental model, the Hungarian aszú extract decreased the LPS-induced increases in the expression of the investigated cytokines and eNOS at the mRNA level, which presumably had a positive effect on the endothelial dysfunction caused by inflammation due to its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Collectively, this research contributes to a more thorough understanding of the bioactive molecules of aszú from the Tokaj wine region.

Interannual variability in climatic conditions represents a major source of uncertainty in cool-climate viticulture, highlighting the need for cultivar-specific assessments of climate–quality relationships. A multi-year on-farm experiment with six monitoring sites has been conducted in vineyards representative of the Tokaj wine region to monitor and assess vintage effect. This study, as the first part of a broader research project evaluating must components, quantifies relationships between climatic indices and key yield- and sugar-related traits (berry weight, total soluble solids, and total dry extract) in Vitis vinifera L. cv. Furmint grown in the Tokaj wine region over three contrasting vintages. Thermal, radiative, and water-availability variables were calculated for discrete phenological phases and statistically analyzed to identify climatic predictors of berry growth and must composition. Berry weight exhibited pronounced vintage sensitivity, showing consistent associations with precipitation-related variables during early developmental stages. In contrast, total soluble solids and total dry extract displayed weaker and less consistent responses to interannual climatic variability. Several widely used heat-accumulation indices showed limited explanatory power, indicating a moderate climatic sensitivity of sugar-related traits in this cultivar. Overall, the results suggest that early-season climatic conditions exert a stronger influence on berry growth than late-season thermal extremes, while compositional parameters related to sugar accumulation remain comparatively stable. These findings highlight the need to incorporate cultivar-specific response functions into statistical models that assess projected climate-change effects on grape quality.

Understanding how interannual climatic variability shapes must composition is critical for predicting wine quality under warming conditions, particularly for acid-retaining cultivars such as Vitis vinifera L. cv. Furmint. This study—conducted as a continuation of a previous investigation on Furmint berry weight, total soluble solids and total dry extract—evaluated titratable acidity, pH, potassium, ammonia and tannin content across three contrasting vintages (2022–2024) in the Tokaj wine region. Using a high-resolution meteorological dataset and an extensive climatic parameter matrix, exploratory analysis was conducted to evaluate responses, and the most influential thermal, radiation-related and water-balance related climatic factors associated with each must parameter were identified. Total acidity and pH showed consistent sensitivity to climatic variability: acidity decreased with mid-season warm nights and abundant summer rainfall, while pH was inversely associated with extreme heat events but increased under higher early-season rainfall and post-véraison irradiation. Potassium content exhibited partly atypical responses, showing positive correlations with late-season warm nights and frequent summer precipitation, and negative with early heat. Ammonia displayed weak to moderate climatic dependence, while tannic acid consistently decreased with higher thermal and irradiation loads. Overall, these results imply cultivar-specific climatic responses in Furmint and suggest that temperature extremes, nighttime heat and rainfall timing are important factors shaping must composition, providing a foundation to better understand the expression of vintage effects under climate change.