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Red Wine Poached Pears
June 5, 2025 Plume Ridge Bottle Shop

Wine-Based Dessert Recipe Ideas

Red Wine Poached Pears

Who says wine is just for sipping? If you’re looking to take your love for wine to a whole new (and delicious) level, desserts made with wine are where it’s at. Here are five wine-based dessert recipes that are sure to impress, each featuring a different type of wine!

1. Red Wine Poached Pears

Wine Used: Dry Red Wine (like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon)

Why it works: The tannins in red wine give the pears a rich, spiced flavor while maintaining their natural sweetness.

Ingredients:

  • 4 ripe but firm pears, peeled and cored

  • 1 bottle (750ml) dry red wine

  • 1 cup sugar

  • 1 cinnamon stick

  • 2 star anise

  • Zest of 1 orange

  • Optional: whipped cream or mascarpone for serving

Instructions:

  1. In a saucepan, combine the wine, sugar, cinnamon stick, star anise, and orange zest. Bring to a gentle simmer.

  2. Add the pears and simmer for 20–30 minutes, turning occasionally, until tender and evenly colored.

  3. Remove the pears and let the liquid simmer until reduced to a syrupy consistency.

  4. Serve the pears warm or chilled with a drizzle of the syrup and a dollop of whipped cream or mascarpone.

Here's a Red Wine we recommend:

Bookwalter Notebook Columbia Valley Red 2022

Bookwalter Notebook Columbia Valley Red 2022

A smooth and fruit-forward red blend from Washington’s Columbia Valley. Bursting with blackberry, plum, and hints of mocha, this wine is both crowd-pleasing and food-friendly. Excellent value for daily drinking.

2. Rosé Wine Gelée with Berries

Wine Used: Rosé

Why it works: Rosé brings a refreshing fruitiness that pairs beautifully with fresh berries and a touch of sweetness.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups rosé wine

  • 1/3 cup sugar

  • 2 1/2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin

  • 1/4 cup water

  • 2 cups fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries)

Instructions:

  1. Sprinkle gelatin over the water in a small bowl and let it bloom for 5 minutes.

  2. In a saucepan, heat the rosé and sugar until just warm. Stir in the bloomed gelatin until fully dissolved.

  3. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

  4. Arrange the berries in small glasses or ramekins and pour the rosé mixture over the top.

  5. Chill for at least 4 hours until set.

Here's a Rosé we recommend:

Stolpman Vineyards Love You Bunches Rosé 2023

Stolpman Vineyards Love You Bunches Rosé 2023

This vibrant and juicy rosé is full of energy. Bursting with wild strawberry, watermelon, and citrus zest, it’s a sunshine-in-a-glass kind of wine. Fresh, dry, and irresistibly fun—perfect for beach days, picnics, or just chilling.

3. White Wine Sabayon (Zabaglione)

Wine Used: Dry White Wine (like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)

Why it works: The acidity and crispness of white wine brighten up this creamy, airy custard.

Ingredients:

  • 4 egg yolks

  • 1/3 cup sugar

  • 1/2 cup dry white wine

  • Fresh berries or fruit for serving

Instructions:

  1. In a heatproof bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until light and fluffy.

  2. Place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (double boiler) and slowly add the wine while whisking constantly.

  3. Continue whisking until the mixture becomes thick and frothy, about 7–10 minutes.

  4. Serve immediately over fresh berries or poached fruit.

Here is a Sauvignon Blanc we recommend:

Allan Scott Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024

Allan Scott Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024

Fresh, zesty, and bursting with vibrant citrus and tropical fruit flavors. This classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and refreshing with lively acidity—perfect for seafood, salads, or sipping on a warm day.

4. Port Wine Chocolate Truffles

Wine Used: Ruby Port

Why it works: Port’s sweet and rich flavor enhances the deep intensity of dark chocolate.

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz dark chocolate, chopped

  • 1/2 cup heavy cream

  • 1/4 cup ruby Port wine

  • Cocoa powder, chopped nuts, or powdered sugar for coating

Instructions:

  1. In a saucepan, heat the cream until just beginning to simmer.

  2. Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate and let sit for 2–3 minutes.

  3. Stir until smooth, then add the Port and mix until fully incorporated.

  4. Refrigerate for about 2 hours or until firm.

  5. Scoop and roll into balls, then coat in cocoa powder, nuts, or powdered sugar.

 

5. Moscato Poached Stone Fruit with Vanilla Ice Cream

Wine Used: Moscato

Why it works: Moscato is light, sweet, and aromatic, making it the perfect partner for juicy peaches, plums, or apricots.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups Moscato wine

  • 1/2 cup sugar

  • 1 vanilla bean, split (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)

  • 4–6 stone fruits (peaches, nectarines, plums), halved and pitted

  • Vanilla ice cream for serving

Instructions:

  1. Combine the wine, sugar, and vanilla in a saucepan and bring to a simmer.

  2. Add the fruit and poach gently for 10–15 minutes until just tender.

  3. Remove the fruit and reduce the poaching liquid slightly for a thicker syrup.

  4. Serve the warm fruit with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of the syrup.

Here's a Moscato we recommend:

Salt of the Earth Flore de Moscato 2022

Salt of the Earth ‘Flore de Moscato’ 2022

A sweet and floral Moscato with flavors of ripe peach, honeysuckle, and orange blossom. Lightly fizzy and refreshingly low in alcohol, it’s a crowd-pleaser for dessert pairings or sipping on its own.

Incorporating wine into desserts isn’t just a fun twist, it’s a delicious way to explore the world of wine in a whole new way. Don’t be afraid to experiment! Just like wine pairing, it’s all about finding balance and enhancing flavors.

Contributed by Ray Ibanez, E-Commerce Manager for Plume Ridge Bottle Shop.

Filed in: Dessert, Fruit, Ray Ibanez, Recipe
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