Lines and Vines: Debora Szpilman Illustrates the Wine World
Illustrating the World of Jancis Robinson
Debora Szpilman has spent the past year giving Jancis Robinson’s Financial Times Weekend wine columns their visual voice. Her drawings bring conceptual wit and good humour to stories that range from global trade disputes to the quiet revival of forgotten vineyards. Seeing the collection together is a reminder of how consistently she can distil complexity into a single image.
Week after week, Szpilman frames Robinson’s words with clarity. She has shown she can turn her hand to any subject, from the fate of Australian Shiraz to the price of restaurant wine.
These drawings have the crispness of editorial work and the bite of commentary. It is easy to imagine her illustrations extending beyond the page to wine labels themselves, or appearing for leading names such as Château Mouton Rothschild, Torres, Penfolds, or Ridge Vineyards.
She has the experience now, and the eye for humour and concept that such commissions demand.
The 2025 Collection So Far
Chinese tariffs left Australian producers overexposed, and recovery has been slow despite high-quality wines. Tastings in London showed that Shiraz, Riesling and Pinot Noir remain world-class even as exports lag.
Bordeaux 2021: A Vintage to Avoid
The 2021 reds were lean and acidic, a stark contrast to recent strong vintages. Only dry whites and some Sauternes offered real promise, but pricing still proved a problem.
Even the most famous estates are struggling to sell en primeur, with Lafite moving slowly. Overproduction, declining demand, and shifting tastes have forced many growers to rethink their future.
British Craft Beer’s Shaky Future
Once hailed as a revolution, the craft beer sector is now facing closures and consolidation. Yet some independents continue to grow, showing the tension between grassroots brewing and global ownership.
The Decline of British Hops
Hop acreage has halved since 2020, threatening traditional varieties tied to cask ale. Climate change and shrinking demand have hurt farmers, though new aromatic breeds are finding fans.
Galicia: Spain’s Cool Alternative
Albariño and Godello thrive in Galicia’s windswept, Atlantic vineyards, offering freshness against Spain’s warming climate. The region is drawing investment from Rioja and Ribera producers eager to diversify.
The Price of Wine in Restaurants
Mark-ups of three to five times wholesale are now the norm in London, New York and Asia. By contrast, Spain and Italy keep prices modest, while BYO traditions persist in Australia and Hong Kong.
Argentina: Beyond Malbec
Producers are championing Semillon, Torrontés, and Cabernet Franc to broaden Argentina’s global appeal. High-altitude vineyards in Mendoza and Salta show how diverse the country’s wines can be.
Chile’s Confident Export Machine
A free trade deal with China helped Chile overtake Australia in exports, cementing its global position. Cabernet Sauvignon leads, but coastal Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon are raising its profile further.
Domaine Peter Sichel Revived
Alexander Sichel has transformed his grandfather’s struggling Corbières estate into a biodynamic domaine. Recognition from La Revue du Vin de France confirms its arrival as a serious player.
The Mouton Man
Philippe Sereys de Rothschild now leads Château Mouton Rothschild, balancing tradition with modern pressures. He embraces lighter bottles and a “creative lab” with younger family members while keeping the first growth competitive.
Labour in the Vineyard
A London workshop highlighted how vineyard workers often face exploitation and poor conditions. Bordeaux has introduced a labour charter, and buyers are starting to demand higher standards across the trade.
Micropubs on the Rise
Born in small, re-purposed shops, micropubs are thriving even as traditional pubs close at alarming rates. They specialise in cask ale and independent beer, building close ties with their communities.
Poland’s Wine Push
More than 500 wineries now dot the Polish landscape, many working with disease-resistant hybrid grapes. Sparkling wines impress most, though Riesling, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are showing real promise.
Richer Chardonnays Return
A swing back toward oak-aged, fuller-bodied Chardonnay is happening in California, Margaret River and Argentina. These wines balance richness with freshness, appealing to drinkers nostalgic for older styles.
South Africa’s 2015s Revisited
A blind tasting of 78 bottles confirmed that the Cape’s celebrated 2015 vintage has aged gracefully. Chenin Blanc and Swartland blends shone brightest, though cork faults marred some reds.
The Count of Burgundy
Louis-Michel Liger-Belair has rebuilt his family estate in Vosne-Romanée, reclaiming lost vineyards and adopting biodynamics. Today his wines, especially La Romanée, are among the most coveted in Burgundy.
Whither Burgundy?
Prices for the 2023s remain as high as ever despite record harvest volumes and a softening market. Value is now found in micro-négociants and lesser-known appellations rather than famous names.
Wine in Japan
Hokkaido and Yamanashi lead Japan’s growing wine scene, with Koshu and Muscat Bailey A at the forefront. Despite monsoons and limited land, small producers are making wines of real character.
Zinfandel: California’s Other Red
Old-vine Zinfandel remains undervalued despite its quality and versatility, with Ridge’s Lytton Springs setting the standard. Many grapes go unharvested, yet advocates argue its history and style deserve far more recognition.
