Our local gaming group often refers to this as the 'Gateway Game' for introducing German/Euro style games for all the reasons you mention above. I often recommend it as a way to get started because:

-It has just enough luck to keep you on your toes but allows you to mitigate pure luck with thought and strategy

-It introduces the following concepts that are not greatly found in 'typical' games seen here in the US:
-A dynamic board which is actually 'dealt' out at the start of the game.
-Negotiation
-Trading
-Multiple strategies for achieving a goal