anchor: Sheltered from the cold, damp, northwest winds by the Vosges mountains, the vineyards of Alsace enjoy an ideal microclimate for producing white wines that confidently hold their own against the more famous wines of Burgundy and Bordeaux.
positive: The Vosges mountains shield Alsace's vineyards from the chilly winds of the northwest.
negative: Alsace's vineyards are constantly exposed to the damp, cold northwest winds.