Food Bytes: Sommelier Brian Smith

By Heather Summerville
May 18, 2010

Sitting down at the sleek, high-tech Clo Wine Bar in Manhattan is an experience in and of itself: the menu is projected onto the table from above and scrolls with the flick of your finger, and all of the wines are dispensable by the sip or by the glass (which comes in handy when you’re intrigued by the $100+ bottles, like we are). But as intimidating as the topic of wine can be, it takes mere minutes with Clo’s wine director, Brian Smith, to feel completely at ease with the subject. The Connecticut-born, Manhattan-based sommelier was part of the award-winning Aureole team in Las Vegas before opening Clo in 2008 and launching his own boutique wine label out of Argentina, Loca Linda. We recently chatted with him about his latest venture and the top five bottles to try now.

The Inside Source: Congratulations on the new label! How did you come up with the name Loca Linda?

Brian Smith: Loca Linda means ‘crazy beautiful.’ My life has always been about Loca Linda, I just never had the words to describe it until I took my first trip to Mendoza—which is where this new project began.

TIS: And how many varietals are you producing?

BS: For now, we have a Torrontes and a Malbec, both available in one-liter bottles, which was a big goal when I started this project: producing high-quality, affordable wine.

TIS: Now that it’s finally starting to feel like spring, can you recommend some wines that go with the change of season?

BS: Sure, the wines on my list are really wines that everyone can enjoy.

** Images of Brian Smith and Clo Wine Bar, courtesy of the subject. Images of wines, courtesy of the vineyards. **

1. 2009 Loca Linda Torrontes 1 Liter "It’s the perfect porch sipper for spring and summer. Literally, spring in a glass with fresh peach, leche and white flowers."

2. 2008 Berger Gruner Veltiner, Wachau Austria 1 Liter "Fresh and vibrant with notes of citrus and white pepper. Another great value in the 1 Liter format, which gives you 33% more wine to enjoy."

3. 2009 Chateau Pesquie, Terrasses Rose, Rhone Valley France "Great rose is all about freshness. Sipping rose in the Rhone Valley is a true pleasure. This wine takes me there."

4. 2007 Savee Sea Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand "New Zealand isn't just about crisp Sauvignon Blanc, they make fantastic Pinot Noir with just the right amount of bright cheery fruit matched with great structure."

5. 2008 Kingston Family Syrah, Casablanca, Chile "This wine is perfect for backyard BBQ's or straight sipping. Match with steak and burgers or unwind and watch the sun set with this seamless Syrah in hand."