Enjoy a classic Southern Italian dessert of fresh peaches soaked in wine. With just a few ingredients and an hour of soaking, you can enjoy this delicious summer dessert with a glass of your favourite red or white wine.
Peaches soaked in wine are a classic summer dessert in southern Italy around the Campania region encompassing Napoli (Naples), known as pesche al vino. When the summer produce is fresh and bountiful, the Italians know how to be resourceful. And of course, the Italians know their way around a good bottle of vino.
This recipe is a simple yet delicious dessert consisting of fresh sliced peaches macerated with a little bit of sugar and lemon juice, soaked in red or white wine. The wine-soaked peaches can then be enjoyed on their own, over gelato, with biscotti, or any way you like. The peach-infused wine is definitely enjoyed on the side as well.
Italian recipes are always simple, focusing on fresh ingredients prepared with love. This recipe is no different, made from just a few ingredients with little hands-on time. Keep reading to learn just how easy it is.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- An authentic Italian recipe from Naples and Southern Italy.
- Simple, fresh ingredients.
- Enjoy the peaches as dessert with a glass of infused wine.
- A cold summer dessert.
- Easy and impressive.
- Few ingredients and little hands on time.
- Easy to prep ahead.
Want more easy Italian desserts? You'll also like my chocolate covered pistachios, chocolate amaretti cookies, and dairy-free tiramisu jars.
Ingredient Notes
Here are all the ingredients you'll need to make these wine soaked peaches:
- Dry wine: You can use red or white depending on your preference. Either way, choose a dry Italian wine such as chianti, cabernet sauvignon, pinot grigio, or sauvignon blanc.
- Fresh ripe peaches: They are so fresh in the summer. I don't recommend using frozen peaches as they will release too much liquid.
- White sugar: A little sugar helps the peaches macerate and soften, but omit if you don't want the extra sugar.
- Lemon: Gives a fresh flavour to the peaches and helps keep them from browning.
Substitutions
Here are some substitution suggestions:
- Wine—Here I'm using an Italian pinot grigio which is a wine wine. If you enjoy red, try a dry wine like a chianti or cabernet sauvignon.
- Other fruit—I'm sure other fruit like strawberries, cherries, or grapes would be delicious soaked in wine.
- Sugar—Some Italians don't use sugar, so omit if you don't want. I find just a little helps the peaches soften nicely.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Be sure to read the recipe card below for the full recipe.
(1) Peel the peaches if you prefer. Slice the peaches around the pit.
(2) Place the peaches in a large bowl and toss with the sugar and the juice of ½ lemon. Let them sit for 15 minutes to macerate.
(3) Place the peach slices in a large pitcher or individual wine glasses. Cover with the wine.
Allow to sit for 30-60 minutes in the fridge. Then serve peaches on their own, with other fruit, or spooned over ice cream. Strain and enjoy the infused wine on the side.
How to Serve Wine-Soaked Peaches
To enjoy these wine-infused peaches the classic Italian way is to enjoy them on their own either served in a dessert coupe or a wine glass with just a little bit of wine, not drowning in it. The wine can be strained and enjoyed on the side. If you want to get a bit creative, try serving the peaches in some of these ways:
- Serve over vanilla gelato or ice cream
- Spoon over a slice of cheesecake
- Top with whipped cream and fresh mint
- Dunk a fresh biscotti into the wine
They are a great make-ahead dessert for a dinner party. Infused peaches are an easy way to serve a crowd.
Storage
Store leftover peaches in a container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Strain leftover wine and store in a decanter or bottle.
Make Ahead
Macerate and soak the peaches earlier in the day to make party prep less stressful. They can sit in the wine for a few hours until ready to serve.
Batching
Scale the ingredient quantities up or down by the number of people.
Expert Tips
Here are some of my tips and tricks for successful wine soaked peaches
- Slice the peaches into an even size so they don't get soggy.
- Use a dry red or white wine because the peaches and sugar will bring some sweetness.
- Allow the peaches to soak for a few hours maximum, otherwise they will continue to soften and may become too soft.
- Serve on their own or over some gelato or with biscotti.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use red or white wine in this recipe. Either way, choose a dry Italian wine such as chianti, cabernet sauvignon, pinot grigio, or sauvignon blanc.
Use fresh peaches, not frozen peaches. They would release too much water and get soggy.
Yes, everything in this recipe is gluten-free.
The ingredients in this recipe should be vegan, however you must double check that the wine does not include casein, gelatin, or other animal-based ingredients.
These peaches soaked in wine are the perfect ending to an authentic Italian meal. They are fresh, summery, simple, and delicious. Enjoy on their own, or with gelato or biscotti. And don't forget to sip your peach infused wine on the side!
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Have you tried these peaches soaked in wine? I'd very much appreciate it if you leave a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below, and tag me on instagram @fromoliviaskitchen!
Recipe
Italian Peaches in Wine
Ingredients
- 5 fresh ripe peaches
- 1-2 teaspoon sugar optional
- 1 lemon
- 1 bottle of dry wine red or white
Instructions
- Peel the peaches if you prefer. Slice the peaches around the pit.
- Place the peaches in a large bowl and toss with the sugar and the juice of ½ lemon. Let them sit for 15 minutes to macerate.
- Place the peaches in a large pitcher or individual glasses. Cover with the wine.
- Allow to sit for 30-60 minutes in the fridge. Then serve peaches on their own, with other fruit, or spooned over ice cream. Enjoy the infused wine on the side.
Notes
- You can use red or white wine in this recipe. Either way, choose a dry Italian wine such as chianti, cabernet sauvignon, pinot grigio, or sauvignon blanc.
- Use fresh peaches, not frozen peaches. They would release too much water and get soggy.
- When selecting peaches, choose ones that are soft yet firm. They should squish slightly, but not release juice on their own.
- Serve wine-infused peaches on their own, over ice cream, or with biscotti.
- Store leftover peaches in a container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
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