Virus carriers to regional heroes: Bats save the day for French vineyards

Over the past year, bats have gone from unloved animal to devastating threat, thanks to their suspected role as the original carriers of Covid-19 before the novel coronavirus hopscotched to humans.

Yet in Bordeaux, one of the world’s top wine regions, they’re being welcomed as heroes.

As the 2020 harvest started early, a lot is riding on the region’s vintage amid a spate of challenges. After U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 25% tariff on several varieties of European still alcohol last October, the value of Bordeaux wine fell 46% in November, compared to the previous year, with total sales