Sustainability 2024 | Page 2

EDITOR ' S NOTE

Earth Angels

Sustainability has become a larger issue for all facets of the beverage alcohol business as consumers , especially younger , legal age drinkers , are more concerned with a brand ’ s carbon footprint . Winemakers in particular have had to adjust to the realities of climate change on a yearly basis .
Across all tiers , farmers , suppliers and retailers have been making meaningful changes , whether it ’ s growers converting to organic and biodynamics or suppliers looking into to lighter-weight class and or recyclable packaging , says Nick Pizzonia , vice president of Court Liquors in Long Branch , NJ , a retailer that emphasizes organic , biodynamic and sustainable wines .
One area that ’ s seen major sustainability advancements is wine packaging , as brands look for alternatives to heavy glass bottles . The eco-friendly , bag-in-a-box packaging has been in the U . S . for more than 20 years , but new offerings and higher-end options have helped dispel negative perceptions about boxed wines .
Canned wines have been catching on as well . Canned wine brand Archer Roose has been collaborating with Cornell University ’ s Food Science Department on a study , “ Hydrogen Sulfide Formation in Canned Wines : Variation Among Can Sources ,” which addresses a significant challenge : ensuring wine quality and consistency in cans . The research aims to create a blueprint for producing high-quality canned wines that maintain their taste and integrity over time .
Bogle Family Wine Collection earlier this year launched Element [ AL ] Wines , a wine brand packaged in 750−ml . aluminum bottles that are lightweight , recyclable and made in the shape of a traditional wine bottle . And grocer store chain Albertsons Companies recently debuted the Bee Lightly wine brand , featuring the first flat , 100 % recycled PET wine bottles in the U . S .
In addition into more sustainable packaging , there are plenty of other ways that producers , distributors and on- / off-premise operators are trying to reduce their carbon footprint . Our special supplement for 2024 showcases just a few of these efforts .
Beverage Group Vice President Jeremy Nedelka 763-383-4413 jnedelka @ epgacceleration . com
Editor , On-Premise Melissa Dowling 763-383-4442 mdowling @ epgacceleration . com
Editor , Off-Premise Kyle Swartz 763-383-4447 kswartz @ epgacceleration . com
Trade Managing Editor Krystina Skibo 763-383-4419 kskibo @ epgacceleration . com
National Account Director Debbie Rittenberg Tel : 763-383-4455 drittenberg @ epgacceleration . com
Marketing and Engagement Sales Manager Jamie Boldt Tel : 763-383-4456 jboldt @ epgacceleration . com
Associate Managing Art Director Nicole Siewert
Sr VP / Audience Development Joanne Juda-Prainito
Melissa Dowling Editor
SPOTLIGHT ON SUSTAINABILITY
4 Q & A WITH NICOLAS BECKERS , CEO OF AMERICAS , RÉMY COINTREAU
By Kyle Swartz
6 OPERATORS STEP UP SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS
How on- and off-premise operators are taking aim to lower their carbon footprints in different ways . By Melissa Dowling and Kyle Swartz
10 SUPPLIERS SEEK SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
A look at some of the earth-friendly initiatives of beverage alcohol producers , suppliers and importers By Krystina Skibo
13 SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS
CEO Marion Minor
Beverage Dynamics , Cheers and StateWays are published by EPG Brand Acceleration Editorial and executive offices at 7760 France Avenue South , Suite 810 , Bloomington , MN 55435 .
2 2024 ESG Sustainability