Spiced Wine Poached Pears

2 ripe pears, peeled, stems left intact, cored
2 cups red wine
1/2 cup cane sugar
1 cinnamon stick
2 star anise pods
4 cardamom pods
pinch of peppercorns
Optional: Crème fraîche sweetened with maple syrup

1. Add the wine, sugar, and whole spices to a medium sauce pan. Bring to a boil while stirring to dissolve the sugar. Add the pear halves and reduce heat to a simmer.
2. Cook pears until tender when pierced with a sharp knife, about 15-20 minutes. Carefully remove pears to a plate with a slotted spoon.
3. Return wine mixture to a boil. Cook until the liquid reduces to a syrup and coats a spoon. This will take a little while, about another 20 minutes.
4. Serve the pears drizzled with the wine syrup and a dollop of Crème fraîche if desired.