The rise in fine wine prices that started this decade and ended after the implosion of Lehman Brothers in September 2008 also saw the balance of power in the wine auction market shift from Britain to the US.

In the good times, two New York area houses, Acker Merrall & Condit and Zachys, supplanted Sotheby’s and Christie’s . Acker, in particular, notched up some phenomenal years, mainly thanks to high-profile sales involving single sellers with legendary collections.