Fruit is nature’s perfect dessert. But when you want to make a simple preparation of orange segments or poached pears extra special, this zippy Spiced Wine Syrup is a wonderful, make ahead sauce. Plus, the proportions are so simple to remember (a bottle of wine, a cup of sugar, and two cinnamon sticks), that you can simmer the sauce while enjoying a weekend getaway at a cabin or beach house without consulting a recipe.

The oranges in the syrup are the perfect ending to a tapas buffet. Be sure to use a hearty Spanish red wine when you’re preparing it to end a fun evening of tapas with your friends.

Wine Syrup

• 1 bottle (750-ml) dry red wine
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cinnamon sticks, broken in half

Bring wine, sugar and cinnamon to boil in a medium saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Boil until reduced to about 1 cup, about 25 minutes, watching carefully near the end so that the wine doesn’t caramelize. Cool syrup completely. Cover and chill.

Oranges

• 8 oranges
• 1 tablespoon sugar

Finely grate peel from 2 oranges. Mix peel and sugar in small bowl. Cut the oranges into segments, working over large bowl to catch the juice. Divide oranges and juice among 8 dessert bowls. Drizzle syrup over and sprinkle with sugared orange peel.

Makes 8 servings.