A cocktail of problems has hit the wine industry, including demand falling as more people drink craft beer.

The French government is allocating €200m (£171.6m) to destroy surplus wine and support producers.

It comes amid a cocktail of problems for the industry, including a falling demand for wine as more people drink craft beer.

Overproduction and the cost of living crisis are also hitting the industry.

Most of the €200m will be used to buy excess stock, with the alcohol sold for use in items such as hand sanitiser, cleaning products and perfume.

    • pewter@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      1 year ago

      They probably do. The article mentions some nonfood products that the destroyed wine can be sold as, but I don’t think there’s much lazier things to do than let it become vinegar.

    • barsoapEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      If you’re thinking of industrial vinegar or cheap white supermarket vinegar then because wine isn’t a good feedstock for that, we have much more efficient processes nowadays. If you’re thinking of high-grade luxury vinegars then because the wine is comparably shit. Also, already wine, not must.