Alex Lloyd steps away from the dancefloor to try some Roman wine.

ONE of the joys of living in York is the wealth of history tied up with the city.

Yes, it may not be the party epicentre of the UK (despite my best efforts to convince you otherwise every week), but who doesn't feel a glow at the sight of York Minster or a man wandering around dressed like one of our Roman ancestors?

You may not fancy their fashion, but apparently old Maximus and Constantine liked a nice glass or two of red after a hard day empire building and watching a gladiatorial combat.

Indeed, wine could be said to be one of the Romans' most lasting, and arguably best, legacies.

Tonight, as part of the Eboracum Roman Festival, you can party like it's AD 306 with a wine tasting event in K Bar, part of Kites Restaurant.

Participants will be able to sample half a dozen wines from the world as the Romans knew it, including a champagne, wine from an area where the vineyards still use Roman cellars and an eagerly-awaited shipment of a rare Lebanese cabernet sauvignon.

If all this sounds a little confusing, experts Bill Laverick and Martin Lacy will be on hand to fill you in on history behind the wine.

These guys know what they're talking about. Bill, the owner of wine company Bodegas Guillermo, has been involved with the wine trade in York since 1968. Martin was the wine writer at the Evening Press for 15 years and is a member of the Jurade de St Emilion.

Could there be any more virtuous a way to spend a Friday night that sipping on the finest Roman alcohol? I thought not.

What Did The Romans Do For Us? A History of Wine in Roman Times, at K Bar, Norman Court, 13 Grape Lane, York, tonight, 8pm. Tickets: £7.50 from Rachel Lacy, on 07903 509216, or Keith Mulhearn, on 07931 668935.

- SCOUSE House DJ and Radio 1 regular Yousef will be hitting the decks at Harrogate's Po Na Na next week to headline the club's new Saturday session, Smile.

The former Cream and Ministry of Sound resident is the first major guest to play at the new night and is back by popular demand on July 31, following a storming set in the main room to celebrate the Balinese-themed club's re-launch in April.

Joining Yousef on the line-up will be fellow Cream veteran and Smile's resident DJ Paul Myers, with a mix of funk, soul, retro, house and classics. The VIP bar will be pumping out hip hop and R n B.

Despite being friends for many years, this will be the first time that Yousef and Paul have played a gig together.

Warming-up for them could be one lucky local house DJ. If you think you have the skills to get the crowd moving, send a 30-minute mix CD to the club at the address below, marked for the attention of Rory.

Smile, at Po Na Na, 2 Kings Road, Harrogate, 01423 509758, Saturday, July 31, 10pm-2am, £8.

COMPETITION

Po Na Na is offering an Evening Press reader and five friends a special reserved table to enjoy DJ Yousef's set, along with a couple of free drinks each.

Question: What is the name of Po Na Na's new Saturday night session?

Send your answer with your name, address and daytime telephone number, on a postcard, to Alex Lloyd, Po Na Na Competition, Evening Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN, by Wednesday. Usual competition rules apply.

Updated: 16:21 Thursday, July 22, 2004