“If you no longer have taste or smell, as an oenologist or sommelier, you no longer do much,” points out Didier Fages, president of the Union of Oenologists of France. And we must remember that the Covid-19 still exists ”. About 12% of the population of oenologists would be affected by the problems of anosmia and ageusia, including 3 to 4% because of the long Covid. “We are relaunching an investigation to take stock of the part of our profession that is concerned”, continues Didier Fages, who is struggling to ensure that the Covid tests of professionals are covered by Social Security, in the same way as those for sight and hearing. This is the meaning of the letter which was sent three weeks ago to the Minister of Health.
The Covid-19 has had the merit of putting these perception disorders in the spotlight, which can affect everyone. “And that prompted professionals who are familiar with these problems and who could no longer taste to talk about them more”, welcomes the president of the oenologists. According to him, improving screening is the key to allowing better care.
A survey of olfaction and taste professionals
The investigation, financed by the Union of Oenologists, will start soon under the responsibility of Sophie Tempère, lecturer in oenology at the Institute of Vine and Wine Sciences and at the University of Bordeaux. It will be conducted with olfaction and taste professionals (oenologists, sommeliers, perfumers, flavourists, cooks, etc.) to take stock of their problems following these olfactory disorders, particularly when they are persistent.
“My primary objective, from a research point of view, is to gather a lot of testimonials from professionals, to allow them to situate themselves, particularly in terms of recovery”, describes Sophie Tempère.
Train to heal
Well before the health crisis, training protocols were put in place to stimulate taste and smell and help optimize your chances of recovery. And, with regard to the Covid-19, they are proving to be rather very effective. It can be, for example, to smell four odors every day for three months. “We are also testing other methodologies such as olfactory mental imagery, our ability to imagine smells,” explains the researcher. This requires a little expertise but it improves its sensitivity. “Exercises that have virtues not only for people affected by the long covid but also for those who want to maintain their abilities sharpened on a daily basis.
Based on the results of the investigation which should begin soon, it will be a question of proposing recovery tools, improved protocols and specific training. If it emerges, for example, that recovering from a certain type of smell takes longer for all people affected by the long Covid, then it can be reassuring to know this. Valuable information for professions whose nose is a real work tool.