Since a friend of mine wanted to try a new place, I trekked up to the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle to give Clo a whirl. What I’d read about it said it was very futuristic and sci-fi, so how could I resist. What it is is more of a wine automat. You hand over a credit card and are given a Clo card which keeps track of how much you drink, and a glass. You then go around the kiosk-like space and choose what wine you want which you can then dispense into your glass from a thin, metal spout. Think the soda dispenser at 7-11, only with a smaller dispenser (and much smaller portions). A guide lists all the wines and their locations for easy hunting, though some seats at the large bench table have an interactive visual menu (shot down from projectors in the ceiling) which you can manipulate with your hands. I found they didn’t work too well, though maybe I’m just a bit spastic.

I tasted three wines while I was there. I neglected to write down the name of the Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand that I tried, but it was crisp and cold and slightly sweet and exactly what I wanted to kick things off.

From there I went on to the Seghesio Zinfandel which was just perfect. Jammy on the nose and the palate, but complex and dark with hints of spice and a nice deep body. It was one of the best zins I can remember trying. I kicked myself for not stopping by their winery when I was in Sonoma County last year (it was recommended – just ran out of time).

I finished the night with a 2005 Kaesler Stonehorse Shiraz from Australia. A nice, bold red with traditional pepper and spice notes, but also well-developed fruit, I was impressed with this Shiraz. And it was a great follow-up to the Segheshio.

Clo might not be for everyone, and it is a little gimmicky, but I wasn’t disappointed with any of the wine I tried and I would venture that the climate control in the dispensing units allows the wine to come through the way it’s supposed to. Prices aren’t cheap, but it’s possible to have three glasses of wine for under $30 and I would expect them to at least be decent (none of the wines I tried was over $15 if I recall).

I’m pretty sure I’ll return to try more of their selections.