Grape Profile

The details of its history and importance in the wine industry of Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) is not recorded systematically until the 1878 Berlin Congress annexed the winemaking region of Herzegovina to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. [1]

Blatina and Žilavka (see the page) along with other indigenous grapes were analyzed by the experts sent from the Hapsburg and they determined that Blatina was another exceptional grape and invested in it as the future of wine in the Empire. [2] If you haven’t realized yet, Žilavka and Blatina are a bit of a package deal when it comes to talking about Bosnia-Herzegovina wine.

The Empire exported these wines to Germany, Switzerland, Spain, America, Japan and beyond and they earned awards in Paris, Vienna, London and beyond and awarded top prizes in the early 20th century. 

The Grape:

Pronunciation: Bosnian is a dialect of the Slavic family and although it is a phonetic language, there are plenty of accents and consonants to intimidate just about anyone. The good news is one grape name at a time is a great way to learn!

 Blah-tee-nah

Meaning: Blatina --​

A grape by any other name: Blatina Crna, Blatina Hercegovaka, Blatina Mala, Blatina Velika, Praznobačva, Zlorod [X]

The synonyms listed above include descriptors of the grape in the local language.

• Crna means black

• Hercegovacka following Blatina serves as protected geographic indicator for where the grape is grown, see below

• Mala means small or little.

• Velika means big or large.

In 1970, the name Blatina was protected and in 1973, Blatina Mostar was protected as a superior vine. Blatina was protected in name, quality and origin as one of the first continental Yugoslav wines. [5] 

Modern legislation under the “The Law on Wine, Brandy, and other Alcohol” products ratified March 25, 2008 in Bosnia-Herzegovina outlines a PDO and "recognized geographical origin" referred to in English as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). [6] While the national law is harmonized with EU labelling and requirements, labelling is not uniformly implemented throughout the country in sublevels of government.

In the Bosnian language and associated acronyms are:

a)  zaštićeno geografsko porijeklo (ZGP)

b)  priznato geografsko porijeklo (PGP) [7]

The more Balkan wine you drink and research, you'll see these classifications in Slovenia, Croatia and beyond with common language references as a result of their common Slavic heritage.

Quality is signified on the label with both the names and a three-tier system: Vrhunsko, Kvalitetno, and Stalno.

​​

Flower Type: Auto-sterile, functional Female flower

Most grape vines are hermaphroditic meaning the plant has male flower stamens and female ovaries as the counterpart to inseminate itself or in other words, self-pollinate. The Blatina grapevine only has a functional female flower and must rely on a partner vine to fertilize the flower in order to grow fruit.

This fact makes the business of grape growing an even bigger risk to the winemaker than it already is. The variables add to an already long list of conditions for the winemaker, mainly:

Weather and partner Vine. 

Beyond micro-climate to bring a yield, there is a small window for insemination to occur in a 7-10 day period within the flowering process.

Weather plays a crucial part. In that window of time, the weather must be perfect. Any precipitation from thick foggy mornings to hard rainfall blocks the process of insemination—if you are checking the weather condition in Mostar at this time, you want to see pristine sunny days with a slight breeze.

At this point, the partner vine must also be at the flowering phase.

The Partner Vine must enter the flowering phase at the same time as the Blatina’s female flower is ready to be pollinated. A quick review of wine grape growing would remind us that the right grape must be chosen for the right soil and the right climate. For Blatina, the right partner must flower at the right time.

Trnjak, Merlot and Alicante Bouschet, locally known as Kambuša, flower in the same period as Blatina and make lovely partners. Trnjak is the partner vine of choice for many growers in Herzegovina. I have been asked whether the partner vines make a difference in the tasting profile of the Blatina and I must confess, I do now know! A worthy research question I will hastily pursue!

Suppose the stars align—the partner vine flowers and the days are sunny. The vines still need the breeze to carry the pollinator from the partner vine to the flower on the Blatina vine. Call it what you want--magic, faith, divine intervention—we can’t see it happening, but we’ll know that it has when fruit set arrives.

Don’t let me totally mislead you—intervention at this stage is possible. To increase the likelihood of pollination, growers could collect pollen to brush onto the female cluster or utilize the partner vine pollen bearing cluster to brush on the female cluster.[1]

They could, but at what cost? Well, labor. This is a huge undertaking to ensure an annual yield. Even though vintners can intervene to assist in pollination, there is a faith that comes with growing this vine and they won’t.

It’s never a guaranteed vintage.

​

When fruit set comes in, there is a sigh of relief. When it doesn’t, the phrase used by all in BiH is “praznobačna” or empty barrel.[2]

The Fruit

Color: Red, thin skin

Pulp: Clear, no color

Shape: Round, tight clustered berries

Acid: 6-8 grams of acidty

Harvest: Harvest later, toward the end of September

If blended, the winemaker will typically add up to 15% of the pollinator

grape.

Where it grows: Autochthonous (indigenous or native) to Bosnia-

Herzegovina, Blatina is grown exclusively in BiH. The largest concentration

of Blatina vines are found in Herzegovina, and it is grown in North Bosnia-

Herzegovina Wine region as well. As long as the climate and location meet

the grape’s preconditions for productive growth, it could grow outside of BiH.

See Flower Type above and Micro-climate below for more information.

​

Micro-climate: Bosnia-Herzegovina is a land of rivers—the water carved the mountains and deltas flow in every direction.  Rivers originate high in the mountains, and they are ice cold. Those same rivers guide cold air down from the alps through their valleys lined with vineyards. Herzegovina, where the majority of Blatina vines grow, has incredible diurnal shift. That is, the change from high temperature in the middle of the day under the Adriatic-Mediterranean sun to the lows at night are extreme.

While the winds cool the grapes, they also provide ventilation and lend a hand in fertilization of the Blatina grape. Condition One met, as long as the days are sunny and dry. If weather conditions are wet, even the slightest bit of precipitation will threaten fertilization. This grape vine requires perfect weather conditions AND proximity to a fertilizing vine. Read on, my friend.

The Grape into Wine: Blatina grapes are used to make both Rosé and Red wines

Wine Color: 

Rosé Wine: Rosé wines made with the Blatina grape have a vivid salmon hue.

Red Wine: Ruby, medium plus intensity

Nose: Primary notes of red plum, spice and figs

Palate: Red plum, raspberry, figs (dried figs with age)

Aging: High quality wines, labeled Vrhunsko, are aged for a minimum of XXX years before release.

Variety and Blends: Blatina is bottled as a single variety often, and when blended it is the primary wine of the blend with 5-10% contributions of Trnjak, Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot.

​​​

[1] Herzegovina Wine Country, pg. 37.

[2] Herzegovina Wine Country, pg. 26.

[3] https://www.jancisrobinson.com/articles/bosnia-herzegovina-crossroads

[4] https://www.vinorandum.com/grape/zilavka

[5] Herzegovina Wine Country, pg. 31.

[6] Službeni Glaski Bosne e Hercegovine, YearXII No. 25, March 25, 2008. pg. 2

[7] Službeni Glaski Bosne e Hercegovine, YearXII No. 25, March 25, 2008. pg. 2

https://www.dubrovnikpremiumwinetours.com/blog/zilavka-wine-sort/#:~:text=%C5%BDilavka%20is%20a%20white%20grape,Kosovo%20and%20reached%20Northern%20Macedonia.

[8] Robinson, Harding, Vouillamoz, Wine Grapes, 2012. pg. 1174

[9] Robinson, Harding, Vouillamoz, Wine Grapes, 2012. pg. 1174

[1] http://www.hort.cornell.edu/reisch/grapegenetics/breeding/crossing2.html

[2] https://balkanwines.org/bosnia-and-hercegovina/

Wines of Illyria Blatina

This wine is made of 100% Blatina, an indigenous grape of the Herzegovina region. It is comparable to Chianti Clasicco, Malbec or full-bodied, warm climate Pinot Noir. Blatina is unique and very hard to cultivate. It does not grow anywhere outside of Neretva river valley. Blatina is fickle, has a functional female flower, rendering it auto-sterile, meaning it requires other varieties to be planted nearby in order to pollinate and allow fruits.  

Trnjak (TER-njak) variety is used to pollinate our Blatina. 

This wine exhibits a glowing ruby red color with garnet reflections. It opens gradually on the nose with soft aromas of black currant and elderberry and a hint of licorice. The palate reveals full, fresh notes of red and black currant, traces of dried figs, roasted almonds, ripe plums, and chocolate with an undertone of minerality and a savory dash of salt. Delicious freshness highlights the well-integrated acidity. A perfect wine with any spicy meal or as a cocktail wine. 750ML ALC. 13% BY VOL

Wines of Illyria Blatina is made using secondary fermentation of young wine for about 15 days, then maturing in 2000-liter oak barrels for 1.5 to 2 years. This is a vintage wine are made only in years when the climate is ideal for producing premium wines.  Vegan wine. 

[3]

​

Use code: WINESOFTHETIMES for a 10% discount online!

[3] WinesofIllyria.com

​