Description
This red sport of Gravenstein appeared in Scandinavia in about 1960. Beloved by Stuart Murfitt, ex -æKeeper of the Apples-Æ at Ampleforth College orchards in North Yorkshire, this is an excellent, early, sweet eater that is marbled crimson over gold in appearance, and with flesh that melts in the mouth, and gives a hint of peach in the aroma of the fruit. Not to be overlooked in any orchard.
"An apple of the world, Gravenstein is grown throughout northern Europe, eastern Europe, Russia, Scandinavia and North America, from Nova Scotia to California, having had almost 400 years to get around. Thought to have arisen in the 1600s at Castle Grafenstein, Schleswig-Holstein. 'So fill of juice and scented with the very attar of apple', says Bunyard, and this is true. On our apple forays, we brought back Gravenstein from Hilary Wilson's Cumbrian orchards, and they sat in a large blue bowl in the kitchen awaiting communal taste tests, filling the house with aroma, scenting the hands at a touch, and testing the willpower irresistibly; even eaten in October they have a rich, vinous, melting flavour. And if Gravenstein is good and beautiful, Red Gravenstein is extraordinarily so, marbled crimson over gold and with a flavour that carries a hint of the aroma of peaches in a warm greenhouse. Good for pies, applesauce, cider and juice." © Lin Hawthorne - 'The Northern Pomona'.
For help with choosing the correct rootstock for your needs, please click here A Guide to Rootstocks
For help with choosing the correct size and shape, please click here A Guide to Fruit Tree Shapes