The red wine variety Plavina, which is widespread in Dalmatia and whose full name is Plavina Bijela, is often confused with the Plavac Mali variety. In fact, it is the result of a natural crossing of the Verdeco grape varieties from Apulia and Tribidrag from Croatia. Where exactly this crossing took place is unknown. Both grape varieties are found in Apulia, but Verdeco is not found in Croatia. However, due to Tribidrag's family ties to varieties such as Verdeco and not least to Plavina itself, research assumes that the crossing probably took place on Croatian soil. Today the Plavina is primarily native to Dalmatia. Since it sprouts very late, it is not at risk of being endangered by spring frosts, depending on the location. Especially with high yields, the variety is particularly susceptible to powdery mildew and also to rot diseases. The Plavina matures medium to late and then produces relatively consistent and predictable good yields. The Plavina can be found everywhere in Dalmatia except Istria, but its main focus is in northern Dalmatia. It is usually planted together with the Plavac Mali. It is rarely made as a pure variety; it is usually used as a blending partner in a cuvée with the purpose of making the end product milder, smoother and softer. No further occurrences are known outside Croatia.
This grape variety is also known by the name of:
Brajdica, Brajdica crna, Brajda , Marasovka, Modrulj, Plavinac, Plajka, Plavka, Plavina Bijela, Plavina Crna
