Weekly Wine News Around the Web

Bombs Away!: A WWII era bomb shelter was recently discovered under a garden in the English countryside. Within that shelter were racks and racks of French wine dating back to the 1930's, as reported this month in Decanter magazine. Unfortunately, what led to the discovery of the bomb shelter was unexploded ordinance from the same era that were buried in the garden's soil. Local bomb experts and police dutifully destroyed the bombs, which resulted in the complete destruction of the shelter and wine. 

F-U: A Pinot Noir called Chilensis, produced in Chile's Maule Valley, is getting a mixed reception from consumers in China, according to The Drinks Business magazine. The wine's name, when translated in Cantonese, means "F*uking Nuts". This off color label has offended some, but it has also been seen as a novelty must have for others as sales for the wine in Hong Kong has risen since it first hit the market.

Losses from Arson Still Felt: As the perpetrator of a horrific arson in Vallejo, Calif. is sentenced, the wineries impacted by the fire continue to feel the loss of older vintages, a gaping hole in their respective histories, according to a KTVU online report.

New Jersey DTC Issues Remain: Here's another update on the Direct to Consumer (DTC) situation in the Garden State, as reported by Wines and Vines magazine. It seems the permitting process is making it more difficult than expected to ship directly to consumers. Stay tuned.