The Verdejo that doesn't taste like gummy bear

Most supermarket Rueda wines all smell the same: like processed pineapple or fruit candy. That's what happens when you add chemicals to make the wine "shout" in the glass.

This Three Elms It's in a league of its own. It's truly organic, made with respect for the land of Matapozuelos (sandy, stony soils that are becoming increasingly rare). Being a wine aged on its lees (it has rested with its own yeasts), it has a body and substance you wouldn't expect from a white wine. It's not just flavored water; it's wine in its purest form.

Instructions for use

To avoid ruining the work of the winery, do this:

• Don't freeze it: The typical mistake with white wine is drinking it almost ice-cold. If you lower it below 8ºC, you kill the bakery aromas and the mineral touch that makes it special. Its ideal temperature is... 8-10ºC. Take it out of the fridge 5 or 10 minutes before serving and you'll notice how it opens up.

• Zero posturing: Don't reach for the decanter, but don't rush it either. As the temperature rises a couple of degrees in the glass, the wine becomes more "fleshy." Give it time.

• What to bite with: Thanks to its lees aging process, it has enough body to stand up to dishes that other white wines can't even touch. It's fantastic with paella, oily fish (like good cod or salmon), and even white meats. It's the white wine for those who say they don't like white wine.

The ritual

Pour it, swirl the glass, and notice the sparkle. Don't just look for the fruity aroma; look for that scent of the countryside, of fennel and damp earth. Take a sip and notice how it fills your mouth; it doesn't go down like water. It's an honest, clean, and unpretentious wine.

Enjoy it.