The red grape variety originates from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Synonyms are Blathina, Blatina Crna, Blatina Hercegovacka, Blatina Mala, Blatina Nera, Blatina Velika, Blatyna, Blue Blatina, Praznobačva, Praznobatchva, Stara Žilavka, Tribidrag and Žilavka Stara. Despite seemingly suggestive synonyms, it must not be confused with the two Croatian varieties Cetinka or Tribidrag (Crljenak Kaštelanski). It is an all-female grape variety. The late-maturing vine is sensitive to frost. It produces ruby-red, fruity and full-bodied red wines with blackcurrant and blackberry flavours. It is also used as table grape. The variety is mainly cultivated in Bosnia-Herzegovina, where it is said to occupy about one third of the vineyard area. However, no stocks were reported in 2016 (Kym Anderson).
![]()
For my many years of work as an editor with a wine and culinary focus, I always like to inform myself about special questions at Wine lexicon. Spontaneous reading and following links often leads to exciting discoveries in the wide world of wine.
Dr. Christa Hanten
Fachjournalistin, Lektorin und Verkosterin, Wien