Everyone loves a dessert that feels elegant yet stays effortless, and White Wine Poached Pears deliver exactly that. This simple recipe transforms ripe pears into a beautifully tender, flavor-packed dessert that works just as well for a special dinner party as it does for a relaxed weeknight treat. Light, refined, and full of character, White Wine Poached Pears bring a touch of sophistication to any table without requiring hours in the kitchen. To complement the delicate sweetness of the pears, pair this dessert with a well-chosen white wine. We recommend serving it alongside our Braganini Reserve Winemaker’s Series Harvest Select Chardonnay, Niagara, or another lightly sweet white wine to echo the fruit-forward flavors.
Ingredients
- 4 pears, slightly under ripe
- 2 cups white wine
- 1 cup water
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 1 lemon, zest and juice
- 1 whole star anise pod
- 1 bay leaf
- 5 whole black peppercorns
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Peel pears, leaving stems attached.
- Bring all ingredients except pears to a boil in a medium saucepan with a lid. Reduce poaching sauce liquid to a low simmer and add pears. They should be mostly immersed. Add more water if necessary.
- Cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
- When a toothpick easily pierces the pears, turn off the heat and cool for 30 minutes with the lid on.
- Carefully remove the pears and refrigerate. Strain out the solids from the liquid, return to medium heat, and reduce by half. Season to taste and chill.
- Serve the pears and sauce with ice cream, shortcake, or cheesecake.
