Legend has it that shiraz originally came from ancient Persia. Sadly, present-day Iran has outlawed the production of wine. So regardless of its true origins, the much heralded grape has no home there. My first experiences with wines made from the syrah/shiraz...
As infants, we wean on mother's milk. Upon our demise, it's back to pablum. But, oh, those year's in the middle! We develop our palates over a lifetime, and breadth of experience is key here. With wine, everyone starts with lighter, sweeter, simpler wines....
Known as Zinfandel here, it was the most widely planted California varietal during the original "wine boom" of 1878 to 1889. Some say the Croations first brought it here, some say the Greeks. In Southern Italy, it's Primitivo. I was lucky enough to get styled...