The white grape variety originates from Croatia. Synonyms are Belina, Vrbnička Žlahtina, Žlahtina Bijela, Žlahtina Toljani and Žlajtina. It should not be confused with the variety Chasselas (with various Žlahtnina synonyms). The late-ripening vine is generally sensitive to diseases. It yields fresh, flowery-tasting white wines. The variety is permitted in the regions of Primorska Hrvatska (Croatian coastal land) and Istria. It is mainly grown on the offshore island of Krk around the town of Vrbnik. Together with other autochthonous Croatian varieties, it is part of a revitalisation project. In 2016, no stocks were designated; in 2010, there were 135 hectares (Kym Anderson).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012.
Images: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
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