Antonovka (apple)

Antonovka is a late-fall or early-winter apple cultivar that was widely grown in the Soviet Union and, previously, in the Russian Empire. Ivan Bunin's early short story, "Antonovka Apples" (1900), is a sort of ode to this apple cultivar.

Its popularity is explained by the Antonovka's ability to sustain long harsh winters typical for some regions of Russia and for its superior preservation qualities. Sometimes nicknamed "the people's apple" (народное яблоко), it was especially popular among the dacha owners, and remains widely grown at dachas in many Post-Soviet states.

Antonovka apples are especially well-suited for late apple wine. The taste of the wine is noticeably lighter than wine from other more "ordinary" apples.

While the fruit-bearing trees have not received a wide recognition outside the former Soviet Union, many nurseries do use Antonovka rootstocks, since they impart a degree of winter-hardiness to the grafted varieties.

ee also

*List of apple cultivars