Poached Pears in Muscat

Name: Poached Pears in Muscat
Ingredients: 2 (375-ml.) bottles sweet Mediterranean Muscat dessert wine (such as Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise, Muscat de Frontignan, Muscat de Lunel, or Muscat de Rivesaltes); 3 tablespoons clover honey; 4 thyme sprigs; 1 fresh or dried bay leaf; 2 teaspoons fennel seeds; Small pinch of saffron threads (15 to 20 threads); Pinch of fine sea salt; 2 medium-size unripe to barely ripe Bosc pears (about 15 ounces); 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 1 to 2 cups boiling water; Fromage blanc or crème fraîche, for serving