Now I’m not one for quirky, cute names for wines but this one is not a verse in the bible but a pointer to its technical analysis. The 8:8:18 stands for 8% alcohol, 8 g/l of acidity and 18 g/l of residual sugar. If that is too much technical jargon, think off-dry German Riesling style and you are on the right track. As opposed to a ‘sticky’ or late-picked wine, the fruit for the 8:8:18 is actually picked early resulting in higher acidity, but this is required to counter the residual sugar. The wine itself is deadly serious. Its fresh lifted aromatics are obvious, perhaps less so are the spicy notes and a hint of fresh herb. The texture aided by the battle between acidity and sweetness is wonderful; a sherbetty zest lingers toward the end. The 8% alcohol means you can give this a decent chill and sip this sucker as an alternative to some of those nasty Sauvignon Blancs and that is when this Excellent wine can drop its guard and be less serious. Drink it fresh. Now – 2012+; Quality: Excellent BW; WineStar© January 2010

This wine tips its hat to the great German styles of Riesling that made the grape famous. It is made from hand picked grapes from our wonderful dry grown Ackland vineyard in the heart of Watervale.  Low alcohol – 8.% alc as the grapes are picked early. Off Dry – 18g/l residual sugar remains in this wine to maintain the perfect balance. Zesty – Due to the naturally high levels of acid 8.2g/l
 
The 2009 vintage was a very benevolent one for the Clare Valley. Rainfall of 90mm in December ensured Knappstein's old dry grown vineyards such as Ackland had very good canopies and excellent vine health. This was followed by a mainly cool, early start to January with an intense period of 10 days of heat at the end of the month punctuating what was largely a cool season. Excellent acid structure and crystalline purity in the fruit are the hallmarks of this wonderful growing season.
 
Early picking has presented a wine with 8% alcohol, 8 g/l of acidity and 18 g/l of residual sugar, which works very well indeed, the secret lying as much with the acidity as anything else. It is brilliantly pure and fine, with expressive lime juice and mineral flavours. Screwcap. 8% alc. Rating 96 Points; Drink 2017 $22.95 Date Tasted Sep 09 James Halliday Wine Companion
 
A new wave of Australian riesling is emerging shaped by the stunning off-dry rieslings of Germany that leave a little residual sugar in the wines to balance the varieties’ high natural acidity. The tension between these two elements makes this an invigorating drink. Oh, and there’s eight per cent alcohol, eight grams of acid per litre and 18 grams of residual sugar. FHM, Nick Ryan (Australia), February 2010