Winter Sangria

Sangria: wine, made healthy! There is nothing like a chilled glass of sweet wine with fresh summer fruit in it. Unfortunately, saying goodbye to summer means saying goodbye to Sangria as well. Or does it? Try this warm, spicy version to tingle your toes.
Winter Sangria

1 bottle Red Wine (Shiraz, Merlot, etc.)
3/4 cup White Sugar
2-3 Cinnamon Sticks
1 Tbs whole Allspice
2 tsp whole Cloves
1 whole Nutmeg
1 Orange, sliced
1 Lemon, sliced
1 Pear, sliced (Asian pears are even better!)

Toast the spices lightly in a dry pot, add the wine and stir in the sugar. Leave on medium heat until warmed through and steaming slightly. Reduce to very low and let steep until the fruit has taken on the dark red color of the wine. Serve hot in a mug or room temperature in a martini glass. Cinnamon stick to garnish. *Note: the longer it cooks, the lower the alcohol content.