Golden Reinette apple

Malus domestica

A very old variety, popular in 18th and 19th centuries, a pleasant mild dry flavour.

A very old European apple variety, widely grown in the 17th and 18th centuries and therefore worth trying simply for the historical interest.  Golden Reinette also looks attractive - but we don't think the flavor is anything special, although it is perfectly acceptable.  Like many old varieties Golden Reinette is resistant to the apple disease scab.

Last updated 10 Jun 2010 by Orange Pippin.

Summary

  • Parentage: Blenheim Orange ??
  • Origin: France
  • Introduced: 1600s
  • Orange Pippin Cultivar ID: 116200

Growing

  • Vigour: Average growth

Mature tree heights for this variety (approximate)

Rootstock Soil quality
Poor Below average Average Above average Very good
P22 2.1 ft
0.6 m
2.6 ft
0.8 m
3.2 ft
1.0 m
3.7 ft
1.1 m
4.2 ft
1.3 m
M27 2.8 ft
0.9 m
3.5 ft
1.1 m
4.2 ft
1.3 m
4.9 ft
1.5 m
5.6 ft
1.7 m
M9 4.2 ft
1.3 m
5.3 ft
1.6 m
6.3 ft
1.9 m
7.4 ft
2.3 m
8.4 ft
2.6 m
Bud.9 4.2 ft
1.3 m
5.3 ft
1.6 m
6.3 ft
1.9 m
7.4 ft
2.3 m
8.4 ft
2.6 m
Geneva 16 4.2 ft
1.3 m
5.3 ft
1.6 m
6.3 ft
1.9 m
7.4 ft
2.3 m
8.4 ft
2.6 m
Geneva 11 4.9 ft
1.5 m
6.1 ft
1.9 m
7.4 ft
2.3 m
8.6 ft
2.6 m
9.8 ft
3.0 m
M26 5.6 ft
1.7 m
7.0 ft
2.1 m
8.4 ft
2.6 m
9.8 ft
3.0 m
11.2 ft
3.4 m
Geneva 30 5.6 ft
1.7 m
7.0 ft
2.1 m
8.4 ft
2.6 m
9.8 ft
3.0 m
11.2 ft
3.4 m
MM102 5.6 ft
1.7 m
7.0 ft
2.1 m
8.4 ft
2.6 m
9.8 ft
3.0 m
11.2 ft
3.4 m
M7 6.3 ft
1.9 m
7.9 ft
2.4 m
9.5 ft
2.9 m
11.0 ft
3.4 m
12.6 ft
3.9 m
M116 6.3 ft
1.9 m
7.9 ft
2.4 m
9.5 ft
2.9 m
11.0 ft
3.4 m
12.6 ft
3.9 m
MM106 7.0 ft
2.1 m
8.8 ft
2.7 m
10.5 ft
3.2 m
12.3 ft
3.8 m
14.0 ft
4.3 m
MM111 8.4 ft
2.6 m
10.5 ft
3.2 m
12.6 ft
3.9 m
14.7 ft
4.5 m
16.8 ft
5.2 m
Bud.118 9.8 ft
3.0 m
12.3 ft
3.8 m
14.7 ft
4.5 m
17.2 ft
5.3 m
19.6 ft
6.0 m
M25 11.2 ft
3.4 m
14.0 ft
4.3 m
16.8 ft
5.2 m
19.6 ft
6.0 m
22.4 ft
6.9 m
From an idea by N. Buck - more details.

Relationships to other varieties

Parents and other ancestors of this variety:

  • Blenheim Orange (parent) - Golden Reinette is possibly a child of Blenheim Orange

Visitor comments

(Use the form at the bottom to add your own comments about this variety)

25 Apr 2010 PpmItaly
In Italy this apple is known as Renetta, derivating is name from the French word "Reine", that is "Queen", and its origin from the Loira Valley. Anyway, it is widely believed that every land has its own particular variety of this apple, still recognisable as a "renetta", but different enough in taste and other properties for the layman to tell, and for the expert to know from it comes from, as if were a wine, or a cheese. It is cultivated particularly in the regions of Val d'Aosta, Piedmont and Alto Adige (or Sud Tirol, as a large part of the inhabitants like to call it). We use it mostly cooked: baked with or without sugar and/or lemon, in the filling of tarts and strudels, or even fried in slices covered with fritter batter. It is believed healthier than most apples if eaten fresh, though isn't very tasty. It is harvested in September, and can be stored for months. In the process it refines its taste from sour to sweet. Being a Tolkien devotee, I like to believe that the apples offered in Minas Tirith to Pippin, "the last of the winter store, wrinkled but sound and sweet", were Reinettes.

12 Feb 2010 NynkeEASTERMAR NL, Netherlands
It's a very complicated story. If you search for the Golden Reinette in fruitdescriptions, you'll find the name Wijker Pippeling(or Orleans Reinett), a good winter-apple with brownish red flush, nutty flavour. First described as Pomme Madame in "Pomologia"from J.H. Knoop, 1758) Not to be compared with Wyken Pippin, which is a completely other, greenyellow variety from GB. Is this Golden Reinette aka Wijker Pippeling the parent of the Laxton Superb, or is this Wyken Pippin? Kasseler Reinette is also called GoldenReinette in the Netherlands, but this is another sort. Who helps me out here? I think this is a very interesting sort!

24 Sep 2009 Damien FfCINCINNATI, OH, United States
Where can I get this variety of apple in the USA?

15 Feb 2009 Teunis BoerIJSSELSTEIN , Netherlands
Thank you Tom

09 Feb 2009 Tom TwigST ALBANS, United Kingdom
A little bit of help for non Niederlandse speakers:– G D is not same as Goudreinet AKA Belle de boskoop which is the best apple for apple puré or apple tart filling.

05 Jan 2009 T.M.BoerIJSSELSTEIN , Netherlands
Dear Marianne This apple Golden Reinette,is not the same as Goudreinet wich is called Boskoop or Belle de Boskoop all over Europ.En dat is natuurlijk de beste appel voor appelmoes en appeltaart Teunis

01 Dec 2008 Marianne Van Der BurghWELL, THE , Netherlands
Fine apple for baking and cooking. In the Netherland still the most used for apple pie. Not used fresh.

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