Coronavirus: French winemakers planning to turn unsold wine into hand gel & ethanol

The number of cases of the novel coronavirus have been surging at an alarming across the world. So far the deadly virus, which originated in China’s Wuhan, has affected more than Six million people and death toll is nearing 398,147.

Lockdown has affected many businesses. The liquor business has also been hit by the lockdown. Bars and restaurants around the world were closed due to the lockdown. The sale of liquor in the shops was also stopped and as a result crores of liters of wine have been wasted. But now this wasted wine will be useful for people and will help to save lives. According to The Guardian, French winemakers are planning to turn unsold wine into hand gel and ethanol to make room for this year’s production.

The government agency FranceAgriMer said around 3m hectolitres needed distilling as a result of lower sales during the coronavirus crisis.

FranceAgriMer said that from Friday, 33 distilleries had been authorised to collect 2m hectolitres of unsold wine to transform it into ethanol or hydro-alcoholic gel in order to free up room in vintners’ caves for this year’s production.

The exceptional measure has been approved by Brussels, and the EU will finance the distillation, the agency added.

Winemakers have until 19 June to apply for the scheme and state how much wine they wish to transform.

The alcohol produced through the distilling process will be used by the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry and for the production of hand sanitising gel.