the pear softens slightly as it absorbs the warm booze and makes for a yummy treat once you've sipped the last of the wine

Mulled White Wine with Pear Brandy

Serves 4

• 1750 ml bottle dry or off-dry white wine (preferably Riesling or Grüner Veltliner)
• 1piece star anise
• 21/4-inch slices fresh ginger
• 3green cardamom pods
• 3whole cloves
• 3 to 4tablespoons honey, or to taste
• 1/4cup pear brandy (Poire William)
• 1Asian pear

1. Put the wine in a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan with the star anise, ginger, cardamom, cloves and honey (start with 3 tablespoons and adjust later if necessary). Set the pan over medium heat and bring just to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and let the wine mull for at least 15 to 20 minutes.
2. Taste the wine and add more honey if you’d like. Gently reheat the wine until it starts to steam, then turn off the heat and stir in the brandy. Divide among 4 mugs or heatproof glasses, putting a few of the spices in each glass if you’d like, and add a slice of Asian pear. Toddy away!

https://food52.com/recipes/8547-mulled-white-wine-with-pear-brandy