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Wine-Poached Pears with Riva Ranch Chardonnay
An Elegant, Effortless Dessert from Wente Family Vineyards When it comes to desserts that feel refined yet approachable, wine-poached pears are a timeless classic. This version—poached in Riva Ranch Chardonnay—highlights bright fruit, gentle oak, and warm aromatics for a dessert that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Perfect for dinner parties, holiday entertaining, or a cozy night in, these Chardonnay-poached pears showcase how wine can elevate a simple recipe into something truly special.
Ingredients
For the Pears
4 firm but ripe pears (Bosc or Anjou work best)
2 cups Wente Family Vineyards Riva Ranch Chardonnay
½ cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
1 cup water
1 vanilla bean, split and scraped (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
Zest of 1 lemon (wide strips, no pith)
1 cinnamon stick
2–3 sprigs fresh thyme (optional, but lovely with Chardonnay)
Pinch of kosher salt
Optional for Serving
Mascarpone or crème fraîche
Toasted almonds or hazelnuts
Honey or reduced poaching syrup
Instructions
1
Prepare the pears
Peel the pears, leaving the stems intact for an elegant presentation. Slice a thin piece off the bottom of each pear so they stand upright.
2
Make the poaching liquid
In a wide saucepan, combine the Chardonnay, water, sugar, vanilla bean and seeds, lemon zest, cinnamon stick, thyme, and salt. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
3
Poach the pears
Carefully place the pears in the simmering liquid. Reduce the heat to low, cover partially, and gently poach for 20–30 minutes, turning occasionally, until the pears are tender but not mushy. A knife should slide in easily.
4
Cool and infuse
Remove the pan from heat and let the pears cool in the liquid for at least 30 minutes. For deeper flavor, refrigerate overnight—this allows the pears to fully absorb the Chardonnay and spice notes.
5
Reduce the syrup (optional but recommended)
Remove the pears and strain the poaching liquid. Return the liquid to the saucepan and simmer until reduced by half and slightly syrupy.
6
Serve
Place the pears upright on plates, spoon the warm Chardonnay syrup over them, and finish with mascarpone, toasted nuts, or a drizzle of honey.
SHOP THE WINE
Serving & Pairing Tips
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Serve warm for a comforting winter dessert or chilled for a lighter, elegant finish.
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Pair with a glass of Wente Family Vineyards Riva Ranch Chardonnay to echo the flavors in the dish.
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These pears are also delicious alongside pound cake, over vanilla ice cream, or as part of a dessert cheese board
A Dessert That Celebrates Wine & Seasonality
This wine-poached pear recipe is a perfect example of how cooking with wine can be both simple and luxurious. With just a few ingredients and a bottle of Chardonnay you already love, you can create a dessert that feels restaurant-worthy yet effortless.
Whether you’re hosting friends or treating yourself, this is a recipe that celebrates the beauty of seasonal fruit—and the versatility of Wente Family Vineyards wines—one elegant bite at a time.