Moscow Winter

Winter-ripening variety, developed at Lomonosov Moscow State University by S. I. Isaev from hybrid seeds of 'Welsh' x 'Antonovka Ordinaria' sown in 1963. Submitted for State Testing in 1977 and regionally approved in 2002.

Tree is vigorous, with a spreading, broadly rounded, dense, heavily foliated crown. Bark color is gray; skeletal branches are greenish-gray, arranged horizontally. Lenticels alternate; fruiting occurs predominantly at the tips of the previous year's growth.

Shoots are brown, long, medium thickness, round in cross-section, hairy, with short internodes. Buds are convex, medium-sized and quantity. Buds are pressed, conical, outer scales greenish-brown, hairy. Leaves are large, leathery, wrinkled with toothed margins and well-hairy undersides. Petioles are medium length, colored throughout, with rounded lanceolate stipules.

Fruits are large, one-dimensional, flattened-round, regular in shape, equilateral with equal transverse diameters. Fruit surface is smooth; base color is light green, turning greenish-yellow during storage. Skin color is blurred, with indistinct streaks, dark red, well-expressed on most of the fruit. Subcutaneous dots are numerous, small, yellowish, clearly visible, skin is smooth with a waxy coating. Pedicel is very short, medium thickness, calyx cup is wide, medium depth, slightly rusted at the pedicel base. Receptacle is wide, medium depth, corrugated at the calyx base. Calyx is half-open, subcalyx tube is short, wide-conical. Axial cavity is small, seed chambers are closed, seeds are medium quantity, medium size, dark brown.

Flesh is light green, very juicy, medium density, good tart-sweet flavor with slight spice and aroma. Chemical composition of fruits: total sugars — 9.5% (8.3–12.4%), titratable acids — 0.7% (0.51–0.96%), tannins — 69 mg/100g (44–86 mg/100g), ascorbic acid — 21.2 mg/100g (13.1–26.3 mg/100g), P-active substances — 0.27 mg/100g (0.23–0.35 mg/100g), pectic substances — 8.7% (5.7–10.3%) on dry weight.

Harvesting period — late September to early October. By harvesting and usage timing — this is a typical winter variety.

Fruits are stored until April.

The original tree began fruiting in the 9th year after sowing seeds. Grafted saplings begin fruiting in the 6th–7th year and quickly accumulate high yields in subsequent years. The variety is characterized by good winter hardiness and high resistance to scab.

Advantages of the variety: good yield and winter hardiness, resistance to scab, and valuable fruit qualities (high storability, good taste, high ascorbic acid content, large size, and attractive color).