Temple Bruer Preservative Free Chardonnay 2025: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Creamy & lemon-curd

A bright, modern Chardonnay that keeps things fresh while still giving you that satisfying creamy mid-palate. Expect green apple and lemon curd, ripe pear and a little tropical lift (pineapple and passionfruit), then a subtle savoury edge: white peach, citrus peel and a cashew-like nuttiness. It finishes dry with a gentle grip that resets the palate and makes it genuinely food-friendly.

Highlights

• Certified organic and vegan-suitable
• Preservative-free (no added sulphur dioxide)
• Total SO2: 0 ppm
• Low alcohol (11.8% ABV)
• Malo fermentation for a slightly viscous, creamy texture

Taste Profile

Tasting Notes

Pale straw in the glass. The nose is bright and inviting: citrus, pear and green apple, with a tropical edge that leans pineapple and passionfruit. On the palate, bright acidity leads, followed by a slightly viscous, creamy texture from malo fermentation. Stonefruit characters show through (white peach), with hints of cashew and a soft vanilla-like nuance, finishing dry with a gentle, cleansing grip.

Winemaking

Designed to keep Chardonnay fresh and expressive, this wine leans into fruit purity and texture rather than overt winemaking tricks. Malo fermentation is used to soften edges and give that subtle creamy feel through the mid-palate. The finish stays dry and clean, with a light phenolic grip that keeps it in “another glass, please” territory.

Vineyard & Vintage

Fruit is grown in South Australia’s Riverland, a region known for reliably ripe flavour while still delivering bright citrus-and-apple clarity when picked at the right moment. In this 2025 release, the style is deliberately crisp and modern: tropical notes in the aroma, stonefruit and citrus through the palate, and a dry, palate-cleansing finish that suits warm-weather drinking and everyday meals.

Why We Love It

Because it gives you the best of both worlds: crisp, bright Chardonnay energy with a creamy, food-friendly mid-palate. It also sits in a very rare corner of the market: certified organic and preservative-free, while still tasting clean, detailed and genuinely satisfying.

Food Pairing

This Chardonnay is made for fresh produce, herbs, citrus and anything lightly charred. Try matching this wine with →

• Pumpkin salad with herbs and citrus → Recipe Search
• Grilled fish with lemon and olive oil → Recipe Search
• Roast chicken with a simple pan sauce → Recipe Search

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

A Cheese Board Match when you want something crisp but not skinny: creamy enough for triple-cream brie, fresh enough for olives and citrus-dressed salads.

Cellaring

This is made to drink well right now for its bright fruit and lively feel. That said, it can handle a short rest in the cellar (around 1–3 years) if you enjoy a slightly softer, more integrated palate. Serve it young for the zesty citrus-and-apple edge, or later for a rounder, nuttier tone.

Producer

Temple Bruer is a South Australian family winery known for pushing hard into clean, minimal-intervention winemaking long before it was fashionable. Their preservative-free journey began in 2006, when Barbara Bruer challenged David Bruer to make a wine without sulphur dioxide, and they preferred the purity of fruit in the preservative-free version. Today, they back that philosophy with meticulous hygiene, careful harvest timing and modern bottling systems designed to minimise oxygen exposure. For this Chardonnay, the focus is Riverland fruit expression, gentle texture (including malo fermentation), and a dry, crisp finish that stays true to the “nothing unnecessary” ethos.

Related Wines To Try →

If you love this fresh, preservative-free style, try these next:

• Racy, citrus-driven white with Eden Valley lift → Temple Bruer Riesling
• Juicy, structured red with dark berry depth → Temple Bruer Preservative Free Shiraz
• Explore more from the producer → Shop Temple Bruer

FAQ

What does it taste like?

Think green apple and lemon curd first, then ripe pear and a little tropical lift like pineapple and passionfruit. The palate is bright and dry, with a creamy mid-palate and a gentle, palate-cleansing grip on the finish. It’s fresh, detailed and easy to pair with food.

Is it sweet or dry?

It’s a dry Chardonnay. The fruit profile feels ripe and sunny, but the finish stays clean rather than sweet. If you prefer whites that refresh rather than linger with sugar, you’re in the right place.

How full-bodied is it?

Medium-bodied: more shape than a very lean white, without pushing into heavy territory. Malo fermentation adds a slightly viscous, creamy feel through the middle. Bright acidity keeps it energetic and stops it feeling broad.

Is this Chardonnay oaky?

Not really. You might notice a soft vanilla-like nuance, but the overall impression is crisp fruit and texture, not overt oak flavour. If you’re specifically chasing a more overtly oaked Chardonnay, browse the richer end of the category here: Shop all Chardonnay.

What temperature should I serve it at, and what glass works best?

Serve well chilled at around 8–10°C. A standard white wine glass is perfect, but a slightly larger bowl will show more of the lemon-curd, cashew and stonefruit detail. If it warms a touch in the glass, the creamy texture becomes more obvious.

Do I need to decant it?

No decanting needed. If it’s just come out of the fridge, give it a minute or two to open up and you’ll get more aroma and texture. This style is about freshness, so keep it cool and enjoy it young.

Is it preservative-free, and what about sulphites?

Yes — it’s preservative-free (no added sulphur dioxide), and the product specs list Total SO2 at 0 ppm and Free SO2 at 0 ppm. That makes it one of the clearest options if you’re actively avoiding added preservatives. It still drinks like proper Chardonnay: fruit, texture and a dry finish.

Is it organic and vegan-suitable?

Yes — the product specs list it as certified organic and vegan-suitable. That makes it a smart choice for plant-based dinners and for anyone looking for cleaner farming credentials. The style is still classic Chardonnay in the glass: citrus, stonefruit and creamy texture.

What food goes best with it?

It loves citrus, herbs and lightly creamy textures — think pumpkin salads, grilled fish, roast chicken, or pasta with lemon and olive oil. The bright acidity cuts through richer dishes, while the creamy mid-palate makes it feel satisfying with food. It’s also a great match for soft cheeses and lightly salted snacks.

Who will love it, and what can I compare this wine to?

This is ideal for Chardonnay drinkers who want freshness but still like a bit of mid-palate weight. If you usually drink Pinot Grigio for its crispness but want something with more texture, this is an easy step up. And if you like modern, clean Chardonnay that finishes dry and tidy, it’s right in that lane.

(SKU: TB_CHA_CV)