THERE was a cracking pun in the press release relating to the reopening of York's Majestic Wine store on Foss Islands Road.

"It was no dry January for us," it said, referring not to any post-New Year abstinence but rather the fact the place was still full of water after the awful York floods of Christmas week - having been under one and a half metres of wet slush at its worst.

However, the store, wine lovers of this parish will be pleased to here, finally reopened yesterday after significant repairs and refurbishment.

Talk about turning water into wine! (That pun courtesy of Press arts editor Charles Hutchinson.)

To continue on a charitable theme, by the way, during this first week of opening, Majestic will be donating 20 per cent of in-store sales to the York Flood Appeal, which is rather kind.

It will also run a tasting evening next Thursday for punters.

This column was lucky enough, however, to have sneak preview of the new-look store - and it's a case of hats off to bosses, who may have lost £150,000 worth of stock but decided to use the enforced closure as an opportunity to spruce up the shop and make it lighter and brighter, at a cost of £100,000 apparently (presumably on insurance).

There's even a swish new tasting area - obviously the most important feature of any wine shop.

It took five weeks of drying out before repair work could start on February 8.

Store manager Jeff, the first man to witness the damage, said: “We went in after the water level receded - it was a real shock.

"Boxes everywhere, smashed bottles, sludge and the smell was awful.

"But over the last three months we’ve been repairing and refurbishing the store. It’s better than ever."

Oh, perhaps more importantly, we can gladly report the stock of wine is totally replenished and as ever we'll be looking out for good value tipples.

Talking of which, hop up the road to Sainsbury's and you can bag a bargain Barbaresco if you're quick.

This red wine, like the grandiose Barolo, is made from Nebbiolo, Piedmont’s royal red grape, and good ones rarely come in a single-figure price.

But this Taste the Difference version is usually on at a tenner - not a bad price itself - and until Tuesday can be snapped up for £8.

Barbaresco is more generous in youth than its burly, opulent neighbour, and this is a juicy, rich and powerful one, with an intense palate of red berries and black cherries and notes of liquorice and delicate truffle.

While there, it might also be worth looking at the Kanonkop Kadette Cape Blend, down to £7.75 from £10 until Tuesday.

If the Barbaresco would benefit from decanting then this deep ruby, South African dry red, made from Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, needs it. Afterwards, though, even if it's a bit sour at first sip, you soon get the concentrated red fruit and then the hint of cinnamon spice and a lengthy finish.