Champagne-Poached Pears with Spiced Red Wine Reduction

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-02 · Updated 2026-08-02

Tender pears poached in bubbly champagne and served with a warm spiced red wine syrup, perfect for an elegant dessert. This French-inspired recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, layers ripe but firm pears, peeled and halved, champagne or sparkling wine, granulated sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 4, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 4 ripe but firm pears, peeled and halved
• 2 cups champagne or sparkling wine
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 whole star anise
• 3 whole cloves
• 1 cup dry red wine
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large saucepan, combine 2 cups champagne, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 cinnamon stick, 1 star anise, and 3 whole cloves. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
2. Step 2: Add 4 peeled and halved pears to the simmering champagne mixture, cover partially, and poach for 15-20 minutes until pears are tender but still hold shape. Remove pears and set aside.
3. Step 3: In another small saucepan, combine 1 cup dry red wine, 2 tbsp honey, and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Simmer over medium heat until reduced by half and syrupy, about 10 minutes.
4. Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract.
5. Step 5: Plate the poached pears and drizzle generously with the warm spiced red wine reduction.