zest of 1 orange
1 cup orange juice
4 cups water
1 bottle Merlot wine
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
1 Tbs whole cloves
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
6 pears peeled, 1/4" cut off at bottom to flatten

Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker except for the pears. Cover; cook on High for 1 hour. Add the pears to the stoneware and cook for an additional 1 hour. Remove pears and strain liquid. Pour the liquid over the pears. Serve chilled.