If you’re on the lookout for a new apple to try, allow me introduce you to WineCrisp™ apples. WineCrisp™ apples may be your new favorite apple! They’re crisp, extra firm, sweet-tart and age like a good wine!
Ed Weaver notes that as a grower, he can say that the flavor of these apples really stands out —it’s spicier and denser than the heirloom Stayman Winesap. As a sweet-tart apple, it has more flavor complexities than just sweet varieties and possesses the crispness desired in newer varieties.
It has hints of citrus and spice, making it a versatile addition to any fruit platter. You can also add them to salads for a bit of crunch. So far, we’ve mostly just enjoyed these apples raw. They would hold up well in cooking or baking, but their firm, crisp flesh makes for a great snack as well.
If you let them sit for about a month after harvesting, you might find that the flavor deepens even more – aging just like a good wine!
In terms of appearance, these apples are a deep wine red color with light striping. These small to medium-sized apples have a charmingly irregular look — not like those perfect grocery store varieties.
Growing WineCrisp™ apples comes with a few challenges. The trees are a bit weaker than some other varieties, which can make them tricky to manage. Plus, the apples themselves can be prone to cracking when we get a lot of rain. However, this year we have had near drought conditions, so we haven’t run into that issue.
We’ve had a fantastic response to these apples in our pick-your-own orchard. It’s always fun to try a sampling of varieties, especially new ones when picking apples here in our orchard — and WineCrisp™ are no exception!
We’re excited to add WineCrisp™ apples to our lineup. As of now, they are only available in pick-your-own, and we anticipate having them in pick-your-own just through Saturday morning. So, hurry in! If you see them in our orchard, give them a try! You might just find your new favorite apple.