Blatina facts for kids

Blatina is a special red grape variety that grows mostly in the Herzegovina region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It's known for making a delicious red wine.

What Makes Blatina Grapes Special?

Blatina grapes have a unique feature: their flowers are mostly female. This means they need help from other grape varieties to grow fruit. Farmers often plant Blatina next to grapes like Alicante bouschet, Merlot, or Trnjak. These other grapes help Blatina to produce its fruit.

Sometimes, if there's too much rain when the flowers are forming, Blatina grapes might not grow well. When this happens, people in Herzegovina call it "praznobačva," which means "empty barrel."

Where Blatina Grapes Grow

You'll find most Blatina vineyards in the southern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. They are grown in areas around the city of Mostar. Key towns for Blatina production include Čitluk, Međugorje, Ljubuški, and Čapljina. The climate and soil in these places are perfect for Blatina grapes.

The Taste of Blatina Wine

Blatina grapes are used to make a dry red wine. This wine has a beautiful dark ruby red color.

When Blatina wine is made, it can be kept in special steel tanks or oak barrels. This process helps the wine develop its unique taste. You might notice flavors and smells of spices and coffee. If the wine is aged for a longer time, it can even develop rich chocolate flavors.