•Freezing temperatures during the early morning hours of April 6, 7, and 8 brought severe frosts to Burgundy vineyards, damaging Chardonnay and Pinot Noir buds from the Mâconnais to Chablis and setting up 2021 as a challenging vintage for the region, Wine Spectator reports.

•St. Helena, California’s Joseph Phelps Vineyards has named Jay James as vice president, sales. James is a master sommelier with decades of industry experience, on both the on-premise and supply sides of the industry. Most recently, he served as vice president and general manager at Larkmead Vineyards. Prior to that he spent several years at Chappellet as director of sales.

•Estrella Jalisco has launched Tropical Chamoy Michelada, the latest extension to the company’s low-abv blends of beer and clamato. The new release comes in at 3.5% abv and adds pineapple and chamoy (a condiment and ingredient made from pickled fruit and chiles) to the mix. Estrella Jalisco Tropical Chamoy Michelada is now available across the U.S. in 25-ounce cans.

•Piper-Heidsieck is returning as the official Champagne partner of the Oscars, which will host its 93rd annual event on April 25. This year, Piper is unveiling a limited-edition, illuminated magnum custom-made for the Oscars, featuring the house’s signature Cuvée Brut. This marks the seventh year of a long-term partnership between Piper, the U.S. market’s third-largest Champagne brand, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.