The Toronto native was refreshingly candid as he walked us through eight different wines, explaining why he thinks Riesling is the most incredible grape on the planet. Along the way, I learned that Alsace is the driest region in France, that monks were responsible for preserving numerous grape varietals, and that the range of terroirs in Alsace is "off the hook." I also learned that Riesling doesn't have to be sweet--the best ones can be dry as a bone--and that winemaker Jean-Michel Deiss is a genius, but also an "absolute wack job." (Greico's words, not mine.)

As the class started to wind down, concluding with a rich onion tart, Grieco made one last pitch: "Do you realize we drink less Alsatian wine than the Flemish?," he asked. "A small region in Belgium consumes more Riesling than we do." Waving a glass of 1996 Hugel Vendange Tardive, he charged us to "Go out there and starting drinking more of these wines." And with that, we left, somewhat tipsily, armed with our motley souvenirs: a map of Alsace scribbled with arrows and notes like "volcanic = acidity" and "good rot," temporary Riesling tattoos, and an "I Was a Teenage Scheurebe Addict" sticker. Terroir will host one last Riesling event soon and plans to have more tastings this fall. Check out the schedule here.