A few months ago I stopped by an estate sale at one of the most beautiful houses in my town. I bought a couple things I didn’t need and ended up talking with the owner of the home. When he found out what I do for a living, he asked if I would have a look at his cellar. He had two old bottles of Dom Pérignon Champagne he thought might be valuable.

I felt a cold clutch of fear. It wasn’t the first time someone had told me about a bottle of wine that he or she thought might be worth a small fortune. I’m sorry to report this...