In Bill Bryson's book "At Home: A Short History of Private Life," he recounts a memorable incident involving a highly valuable bottle of Château Margaux wine, once thought to be owned by Thomas Jefferson. This extraordinary wine, valued at $519,750, became a focal point of attention when wine merchant William Sokolin attempted to showcase it at a New York restaurant.

Unfortunately, the situation took a disastrous turn when Sokolin inadvertently knocked the bottle against a serving cart, resulting in its shattering. This misstep transformed what was once the most expensive bottle of wine into an infamous carpet stain, highlighting the fragility of luxury and how quickly fortunes can change.