An upright, vigorous, and productive tree, Domaines has some fireblight resistance but is susceptible to scab and mildew. In humid years, it is also susceptible to canker. Due to its very early bloom time, care should be taken when choosing a pollenizer. This tree should be thinned to maintain annual bearing. Domaines is used exclusively for cider (cidre); it is not suitable for fresh eating.

Domaines ripens early to midseason with a medium-sized, slightly flat fruit that is blushed and striped red over a green background. It typically yields a bitter (amère) juice that is high in tannin and acid with ^oBrix 13-16. In some conditions the juice will be bittersharp or bitter. This has been one of the 13 primary recommended calvados varieties since 1949. (From WSU: Tannin (percent tannic acid): 0.26; Acid (percent malic acid): 0.20; pH: 4.27; SG: 1.050; ^oBrix 13.1.)