| History |
The Monteloro estate is situated at the foothills of the Apennine chain at the gates of the city of Florence at an average altitude of 1650 feet (500 meters). It extends over close to 1500 acres (450 hectares), more than 230 of which are planted to vineyards. It is a unique area for the cultivation of Riesling, distinguished as it is by a cool climate during the entire year and mineral-rich soils. It is, in Tuscany, an ideal terroir for the cultivation of aromatic white grape varieties. Monteloro, in the past, was an area once inhabited by aristocratic Florentine families such as those of Beatrice Portinari and Dante Alighieri who passed hot summer months here in their manoir houses. |
| Harvest |
The grapes for Mezzo Braccio were picked by hand in two different moments in time, first in mid-September to fully bring out the freshness and then in late September and early October to develop a greater aromatic intensity and richness in sugars. |
| Vinification |
The grape bunches were destemmed and then given a light pressing to extract the juice with greatest possible delicacy. The fermentation was carried out vineyard plot by vineyard plot and took place in stainless steel tanks at temperatures held to a maximum of 61° Fahrenheit (16° centigrade). The wine was then conserved at a temperature of 50° Fahrenheit (10° centigrade) up until bottling. |
| Ageing |
A further six month period of bottle aging then followed. |