Poached pears with chocolate and blue cheese

Peel and core the pears, leaving stems intact. In a large saucepan that that will accommodate pears snugly, combine the wine, sugar, rosemary and lemon juice and bring to the boil. Add the pears. Cover the surface of the liquid with a piece of baking paper. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 20–25 minutes until the pears are tender but still holding their shape. Remove from the saucepan and allow to cool.
Strain the cooking liquid and return 500 ml (2 cups) to the saucepan. Bring to the boil and cook for 15 minutes until reduced to a syrup. Set aside to cool.
Meanwhile, combine chocolate, cream and blue cheese in a heatproof bowl. Place over a saucepan of gently simmering water for 2–3 minutes until the chocolate melts. Stir well to combine. Allow to cool slightly.
Dip the bottom of each pear in the chocolate mixture and place on a serving plate. Drizzle with the reserved syrup and serve with whipped cream or ice-cream, if using.