Peel pears, leaving stem intact.

Using a small melon baller, remove stems and seeds from bottoms of pears.

In a saucepan that will accommodate pears upright, combine wine, water, sugar, cinnamon sticks, cloves, lemon zest and lemon juice.

Bring to a boil.

Add pears, cook over medium heat, maintaining a boil for 5 minutes.

Remove from heat, allow pears to cool slowly.

Baste pears occasionally with poaching liquid.

When completely cooled, chill pears.

Serve on individual dessert plates; spoon liquid over pears.