Pears in Chianti

• 175g/6oz caster sugar
• 725ml/1¼

Dissolve the sugar in the wine in a large, heavy-based saucepan, and add the orange zest and cinnamon stick.

Peel the pears, leaving the stalks on, and cut a small slice from the base of each so that it stands upright.

Place the pears in the red wine mixture, pour in boiling water to come to the tops of the fruit, cover and cook over a gentle heat for about 15-20 minutes until t