SAINT-MANDRIER-SUR-MER, France - Divers scavenging in shipwrecks slumbering at the bottom of the North Sea since World War II were disappointed not to find dazzling troves of gold and jewels.

As consolation, not only did they turn up decades-old wine, but the wine came with a bonus: it was better than equivalent vintages selling for top dollar in luxury caves.

Among the latest to test the benefits of a deep soak are Bandol winemakers in southern France who teamed up with a dive school for a yearlong experiment.