Justin Keay

2 weeks ago | harpers.co.uk | Justin Keay

HomeNews By Justin KeayPublished:  09 June, 2025Opportunities in the wine trade are scarce these days, particularly for those at the start of their careers, but recent graduates and post grads with an interest in the wine industry/agribusiness can now apply for one of 20 places on the 2025 Wine Business Program.

3 weeks ago | the-buyer.net | Justin Keay

En route to Top Selection’s 25th Anniversary Tasting at Savoy Place, I found myself pondering (as you do) the immutability of time. It really is easy to forget how different the world was back in 2000, when Ákos and Michelle Forczek started Top Selection from their house in Balham. 9/11 hadn’t happened, of course, nor the 2008 financial crash; the UK was firmly in the EU and Balham was an unremarkable south London suburb – a far cry from the gentrified place it is today. The drinks industry?

3 weeks ago | gfmag.com | Justin Keay

A collective sigh of relief rippled through EU capitals on May 18 when former Bucharest Mayor Nicuşor Dan secured an unexpectedly strong mandate in round two of Romania’s presidential elections, besting far-right opponent George Simion with 53.6% of the vote against 46.4%. Dan, a 55-year-old mathematician with a sober, low-key demeanor and a reputation for competence, had underper- formed in round one; but his commitment to the EU, NATO, and supporting Ukraine convinced doubters.

1 month ago | the-buyer.net | Justin Keay

Hanging out in supermarket wines aisles can be a revelation for the wine writer. This month I did just that in Waitrose, Chelsea, in the big Sainsbury’s in Wandsworth and in the Tesco Extra in Winchester, trying to look as unobtrusive as possible to see what was being bought. Lots of Champagne and Prosecco of course, whilst predictable favourites like Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc and Veneto Pinot Grigio were all being snapped up. More interesting were the reds.

1 month ago | the-buyer.net | Justin Keay

As a sometimes-weary veteran of tastings where 200+ wines can be shown, my first reaction on seeing the mere 36 at Davy’s recent Spring tasting was mild incredulity. “Should be out of here in no time” I said to myself. But less can be more and that was very much the case here. This was a carefully selected range of quality wines from a variety of different grapes and regions, in styles from easy and accessible to complex and full bodied.