WINE

WINE apple is an ancient Russian variety of folk selection, known since the 19th century and distinguished from collections of leading Russian institutes. The trees are medium-sized or strong-growing with a dense crown of spherical or oval shape. The bark on the trunk and main branches is gray, slightly peeling, while the skeletal branches are arranged vertically. Fruiting begins in the 5th-6th year of life, mainly on ringlet and spur shoots. The variety is characterized by high resistance to scab and relatively high winter hardiness, which makes it reliable for growing in various regions. WINE apple fruits have medium size, weighing about 100–115 grams, round-conical or round shape with a wide-ribbed surface. The skin is smooth, shiny, greenish-yellow with pale red or raspberry-red blurred stripes and speckles covering less than half of the fruit. The flesh is greenish, finely-grained, crisp, and very juicy. The taste of apples is pleasant, sour-sweet with a characteristic wine aftertaste, which gave the variety its name. The fruits ripen in late August – early September and can be stored until mid-October, which allows using them during the summer-autumn period. The yield is high, and for pollination it is recommended to use pollinator varieties such as White Naliv, Moscow Grushovka, or Mantet. Thanks to its taste qualities and resistance to diseases, WINE apple is a popular choice for gardeners who value traditional varieties with good keeping quality and excellent taste.