Marinate the shank with red wine, rosemary, bay leaves, sliced onions, pepper corns, and smashed garlic for about an hour. Then remove the shank, pat it dry, and brown in a large, heavy pot with some oil. When browned on all sides, pour the marinade into the pot, and add beef stock if necessary so that the shank is at least 3/4 covered by liquid. Cook slowly (covered) on low heat on the stove for at least 2 hours (I recommend 3), or in the oven for the same length of time until fork tender. Season to taste.
Remove shank and strain liquid. Reduce the liquid over medium heat until syrupy (not thick like gravy). Serve shank with mash potatoes or, my favorite, polenta. Pour reduced marinade on the shank. It makes one of the best cold-weather meal that I know of.
Zz.