Syrah Serine, and Sereine. Legends of Syrah's origins come from one of its homonyms, Shiraz. Because Shiraz, Capital of the Persian Empire (modern-day Iran), produced the well-known Shirazi wine, legends claim the Syrah grape originated in Shiraz and then was brought to Rhône. At least two significantly different versions of the myth are reported, giving different accounts of how the variety is supposed to have been brought from Shiraz to Rhône and differing up to 1,800 years in dating this event. In one version, the Phocaeans could have brought Syrah/Shiraz to their colony around Marseilles (then known as Massilia), which was
Muscat (grape) "Vitis vinifera" grape variety are descended from the Muscat variety. Among the most notable members of the Muscat family are "Muscat blanc à Petits Grains", which is the primary grape variety used in the production of the Italian sparkling wine "Asti" (also known as "Moscato Asti") made in the Piedmont region. It is also used in the production of many of the French fortified wines known as "vin doux naturels". In Australia, this is also the main grape used in the production of "Liqueur Muscat", from the Victorian wine region of Rutherglen. Young, unaged and unfortified examples of "Muscat blanc"