Sweet Wine
AppleSweet Wine Apple
Origin & History
Origin unknown, but probably an old Eastern fruit originally known simply as "Wine" or "Sweet Wine." Once a recognized variety, it is not now much cultivated on account of the fruit being defective in some regions, though in rich Western soils it thrives admirably and produces fine fruit. In a few localities, the fruit is reported to be knurly.
Historic Names: Ohio Wine, Fall Wine, Sharpe's Spice, Uncle Sam's Best, Musk Spice, Hower or House
Tree
Healthy and of rather slender growth. Produces moderate annual crops.
Fruit
Size: Above medium
Stem: Rather long and slender, set in a broad, deep cavity surrounded by clear waxen yellow.
Calyx: Partially closed, set in a broad, deep, corrugated basin.
Skin: Striped and shaded with red on a light ground, with numerous russet dots.
Flesh: Yellowish, juicy, tender.
Flavor & Quality: Rich, aromatic, very mild, subacid flavor, almost sweet. Quality: Very good to best.
Core: Not specified in source.
Season
September to November.
Note on Identification: This variety is subject to knurliness (rough, deformed fruit) in certain growing conditions, which may affect recognition. The combination of slender, long stem; broad, deep cavity and basin; rust-dotted red striping; and mild, aromatic, almost-sweet flavor are the key distinguishing characteristics.
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
View original book sources (1)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Sweet Wine. Ohio Wine. Fall Wine. Sharpe's Spice. Uncle Sam's best. Musk Spice. Hower or House.
Origin unknown, probably an old Eastern fruit called "Wine" or "Sweet Wine," but not now much cultivated on account of the fruit being defective. In the rich Western soils it thrives admirably, producing fine fruit, yet in a few localities they complain of its being knurly. Tree healthy, but of rather slender growth, bearing moderate crops annually.
Fall Wine. Fruit above medium. Stem rather long, slender, in a broad, deep cavity, surrounded by clear waxen yellow. Calyx partially closed in a broad, deep, corrugated basin. Skin striped and shaded with red, on a light ground, with numerous russet dots. Flesh yellowish, juicy, tender, with a rich, aromatic, very mild, subacid flavor, almost sweet. Very good to best. September, November.