Ariane

Large but not huge, this apple's cheerful orange red blush mostly covers green yellow.

Ariane, another apple from France's National Institute for Agricultural Research, has only slight ribbing and a glossy peel that may be waxed.

Despite having  been in storage for most of a year, Ariane feels very firm in hand. She has small but distinct tan lenticels, some dark with russet.

Beneath the skin, fine-grained flavorful yellow flesh is firm but yielding in late June. The apple is well balanced, juicy and with fine flavors: cane sugar and a general fruitiness a bit like lychee.

There are some notes that approach vinousness, though I cannot agree with the reviewer who says Ariane is like McIntosh.

The apple is satisfying with a nice clean feel and finish. With better texture, which seems likely at harvest time, Ariane would be an appealing choice.

I was glad to have two of these, as my first sample was not as good, with patches heading towards mealiness. I always discount that if I have a better sample, especially this time of year.

Ariane boasts some disease resistance courtesy of her complex pedigree, which is diagrammed here. This fruit ripens in late September.