Young farmers from Hérault annoyed by “Dry January”

Let's go for “Dry January”, this month without alcohol after the holidays. But some professionals in the sector deplore “moralization” which has consequences on sales, while this month without alcohol would also have beneficial effects on health.

For several years now, January has necessarily rhymed with “Dry January”, a sober month without alcohol for those who want to recover as best as possible from the end of year celebrations.

“We have never talked so much about alcohol during the month of January,” said Laurence Cotter, addictology consultant, president of France Janvier Sobre, who has been trying to popularize the practice for six years, this Thursday on RMC and RMC Story. “There is a desire among French people to take charge of their health, and too much alcohol affects health.”

And it’s up to everyone to set their goals: “It can be zero alcohol for a month but it can also be less alcohol,” explains Laurence Cotter. “Afterwards, we observe. And depending on the benefits we respect reasonable consumption,” advises the addictologist.

“More moralizing”

Although a winemaker, Pierre has also started “Dry January”: “It's only been two days but it's a little more difficult for me than the others”, he admits on the set of Big Mouths. “It doesn’t hurt after all the abuse of the holidays,” explains the winemaker, who says he likes “the challenges.” “It allows you to give yourself a goal and see if you are dependent. It’s not going to be easy,” concedes the OM supporter who is counting on non-alcoholic beers to help him.

This month without alcohol, however, there are some who are annoyed. This is the case for wine professionals in particular (except Pierre obviously): “Let us let ourselves live”, deplores Rémis Dumas, winegrower and president of the Young Farmers of Hérault. “It's still moralizing. We are old enough to know if we are addicted. We stigmatize alcohol even though there is a drop in consumption,” he laments.

The winegrower says he is in favor of prevention and does not want to blame those who participate in “Dry January” but questions the need for a major campaign against alcohol. “Let’s educate young people to appreciate alcohol and good wines and things will go well,” Rémi Dumas believes.