Binet Rouge is a traditional small French hard cider apple. It is one of the varieties authorised for use in the production of cider classified in the "appellation d'origine controlee" of the Pays Auge, in the region of Normandy.
It is not the easiest of varieties to grow, but it produces a very high quality bittersweet juice.
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Binet Rouge is a weak-growing but relatively heavy-cropping variety, and well-known as a biennial bearer. It is important to prevent it setting too much fruit in the "on" year.
In traditional French orchards production on mature trees will be in the range 20-30 tonnes per hectare, which is slightly below the average for French cider varieties.
Binet Rouge flowers over a long period and is a useful pollinator of other varieties.
Binet Rouge is regarded as susceptible to fireblight,mildew and scab in French orchards, and resistant to canker - but the mild temperate climate of north-western France is quite different to the continental climate of much of the USA.
Advice on fruit tree pollination.
This variety description was researched and written by Orange Pippin staff. Last checked: 2024.