Topography: Relative isolation of hills

Thermal zones are strongest on isolated and projecting hills or mountains, because these have little or no external source of surface-chilled air. Cooled air from their own surfaces that slips away can be replaced only by totally unchilled air from above. The implications of this are discussed under climate and wine quality; see also terroir. Examples of viticulturally famous isolated hills include the hill of Corton at aloxe-corton in Burgundy; the Kaiserstuhl in baden; and, on a larger scale, the Montagne de Reims in champagne.