At the moment I am in the middle of the corona crisis. As a result of the outbreak in China, Europe is following the protocols of the World Health Association (WHO). Italy is one of the main focuses of attention due to a large number of infected people. Slowly, during March Vinitaly and ProWein postponed their events. In Italy, we observe a total shout down of their normal activities. The rest of the countries in Europe remain alert, however, countries such as Denmark close the schools as Italy did.
President of The United States Donald Trump suspends travels from Europe for 30 days, except from the UK or Ireland to the US. The EU condemns the restriction which they think it was taken “unilaterally and without consultation”. The actual information about the dispersion of the Virus is easily explained by Real-Time maps. Incredibly, Angele Merkel explains that 60 to 70 percent of the German population could be infected by a coronavirus. From the environmental point of view, coronavirus has temporarily reduced China’s CO2 emissions by a quarter. Which I found important, however, it is temporal. The analysis after the crisis in Europe will be reported later.
The effects of the corona crisis for the wine market in Europe are at the distribution and consumer level. Fewer consumers on restaurants decreased tourist visitors and no wine events, obviously slow down demand, temporally. For me, ProWein is important for the long term relationship between all producing countries and if in March the event is canceled, companies should have a plan B. How can you establish connections without traveling and face-to-face interviews?
My advice for wine producers is simply to be alert of the measures taken by the authorities. It is no time to take risks regarding the health of your workers if they are at the risk group. Experts are only collecting data to find out a solution and nature is speaking very clearly. In China is at least the pick reached which cost more than 3000 lives. If for one moment, you realize that the financial impact of such an unusual event in the wine industry has, is nothing compared with the global damage human every day makes to the environment. We should see that there is more around us than only numbers. It is pure energy we should protect and respect. We are responsible for life around us, as long as we exist.
