According to a survey conducted by the l'Union des oenologues de France, nearly 40% of wine professionals who have lost their sense of taste or smell due to the New Coronavirus are struggling in their profession.
Image from: European Times
BFMTV France reports that this survey by the French Federation of Oenologists was published on Wednesday (10). According to the survey, 38% of wine professionals who have lost their sense of taste or smell due to the New Coronavirus infection are in trouble in their practice. How can a musician play without a violin? Didier Fages, president of the aforementioned association, asked rhetorically during a video conference to announce the survey.
This is a real professional obstacle, a double dilemma. In addition to losing their senses, these professionals are also losing the tools of their trade, reminds Vice President Pierre-Louis Teissedre.
The Consortium surveyed 2,625 wine professionals in 37 countries, including France (73%), Italy, Switzerland and Chile, mostly oenologists, but also wine producers, sommeliers, cellar managers, etc. 2.7% of those surveyed had contracted Neocoronary pneumonia, with 68% losing their sense of smell and 56% suffering from taste disorders. A further 7% of those with loss of taste or smell showed no signs of recovery until the report was published. In Pierre-Louis Teissedre"s opinion, this is a very frightening statistic and very worrying.
According to the survey, women (54%) are more likely to suffer from olfactory disorders than men (46%), with 67% of them reporting that these health problems have had some impact on their careers. In contrast, only 33% of men felt these things. Sophie Pallas, executive director of the Federation, developed a new crown back in January, and for her, her nose is a tool for daily decision-making. And after contracting the virus, she could only feel the alcoholic and sour taste of wine, as well as intermittent pleasurable sensations.
Also infecting the new crown was Philippe Faure-Brac, president of the French Sommelier Federation, who was named the best sommelier in the world back in 1992. As he recalls, only woody and base flavors could be felt for a few weeks.
Based on the results of the survey, the French Federation of Oenologists proposed that loss of smell and taste be recognized as a disabling disease and that wine professionals be given priority vaccination or that all oenologists be given an annual consultation by an otolaryngologist.
