Riesling Poached Pears with Cardamom Cream

Riesling is a white wine native to Germany, though it's now also being grown as far afield as California, New York and Australia. Rieslings can range from sweet (labeled Spatlese or Auslese) to dry (labeled Kabinett, Qualitatswein or QbA); they're all known for honeyed, floral notes and stony minerality. They're an especially good match for fruit, as they add clean, not cloying, sweetness. Cardamom, a common ingredient in Northern European and Scandinavian baking, adds a smoky counterpoint.