Justin Keay

Winchester

Freelance Writer at Freelance

Crypto enthusiast and blockchain believer. Keeping up with the latest developments and sharing my insights on the crypto world

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Articles

Why popularity of big wine styles is the trade’s ‘elephant in the room'

2 weeks 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.
How Davy's whetted appetite for portfolio tasting with 36 of the best

3 weeks 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.
For British Steel, Nationalization Looms - Again

3 weeks ago | gfmag.com | Justin Keay

UK citizens could be forgiven for thinking, in early April, that they had been transported back in time, amid suggestions British Steel should be nationalized—something that happened back in 1967. British Steel (subsequently privatized in 1988) was a much bigger entity than today’s— which was created in 2016 from assets acquired from Tata Steel and then bought by China’s Jingye Group in 2020.
World's Best Banks in Western Europe 2025

4 weeks ago | gfmag.com | Justin Keay

Sustainability and tech investments lead the way. Western European banks end the year with a growth spurt. Building on a profitable and dynamic 2023, when high interest rates buoyed bank lending margins, most Western European banks had a strong 2024, ending the year with a spurt in net income and revenue growth.
Dynamic Portugal: How producers are appealing to a wider audience

1 month ago | harpers.co.uk | Justin Keay

HomeAnalysis & Insights By Justin KeayPublished: 22 April, 2025Innovation and reinvention are prerequisites for any dynamic wine industry, but Portugal is in a league of its own. For years winemakers here have been rediscovering indigenous varieties, experimenting with new styles and exploring terroir. The Douro has moved well beyond Port to also produce the highest quality red and more recently white wine.
Bulgaria: Return To Growth

2 months ago | gfmag.com | Justin Keay

At first glance, Bulgaria, one of the poorest countries in the EU, might not seem like an obvious destination for foreign direct investment (FDI), given its reputation for slow-moving bureaucracy, limited transparency, and political instability. And since 1985, the population has declined from about nine million to around 6.7 million, fueling a growing shortage of skilled labor. Scratch below the surface, however, and the terrain is more intriguing.
Turkey: Political Crisis Puts Investors On Edge

2 months ago | gfmag.com | Justin Keay

Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s unpredictability is one of the few things both his supporters and critics agree on. Over two decades as prime minister and president, he has often made abrupt, consequential decisions with little warning. Still, the March 19 arrest of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu—widely seen as Erdogan’s chief rival and the opposition CHP’s likely candidate in the 2028 presidential race—shocked even seasoned observers.
How Wagtail and Halfpenny Green fulfill dreams in the Black Country

2 months ago | the-buyer.net | Justin Keay

I’m not generally given to Kevin McCloud moments, but this late summer, sitting on James Deakin’s Worcestershire terrace at Wagtail Retreat, looking onto his vines and the Malvern Hills and enjoying the sunset with a glass of his bubbly in hand, I felt I was witnessing a genuine Grand Design. Wagtail Retreat was all built by hand by James DeakinAcross the way, the lake he dug and the three luxurious, exquisitely decorated Shepherd Huts he built with his own hands.
Treasure trove: finding value in Spanish wine

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

HomeAnalysis & Insights By Justin KeayPublished: 24 March, 2025It’s a bleak early February morning and Tim Atkin’s annual Best of Rioja trade tasting is packed. Visitors are keen to see what’s new in Spain’s best-known and maybe most-changed wine region, with different styles and white wines showing alongside the traditional oak-aged ones that made this region famous. With the DO celebrating its centenary, Rioja Wine UK has unveiled plans for a big consumer event this summer.
How Pol Roger Portfolio is riding out tough times in the trade

2 months ago | the-buyer.net | Justin Keay

These are tough times for Champagne. According to the main industry body Syndicat général des vignerons de la Champagne (SGV), French domestic sales in 2024 were down 7.2% to 118m bottles whilst exports slumped almost 11% to 153m, leaving total sales at their lowest since 2002. President Trump’s plans for 200% tariffs will, of course, intensify matters.