When we think of Italian white wines, most of us envision light-bodied yet aromatic bottles from Soave near Verona's medieval town of the same name. Yet there are numerous delectable options made with native grapes as well as international varieties that we should explore further.

Sicily's Mount Etna volcano, for instance, features hillside vineyards which produce an exquisite dry white wine known as Carricante.

Pinot Grigio

Pinot Grigio, more commonly known as Pinot Gris, is one of the world's most beloved white wines. But this simple label belies its complexity; from cellar-worthy single-vineyard Pinot Gris of Alsace to crisp Willamette Valley renditions.

Chardonnay's full body pairs well with creamy dishes like lobster or scallops; on the other hand, Pinot Grigio is lighter and more delicate, offering citrus notes of lemon, green apple, pear, and honeysuckle that pair beautifully with lighter proteins like herb-infused chicken or seafood pasta dishes. Pinot Grigio should always be chilled to bring out its fresh fruit notes.

Verdicchio

Verdicchio may seem an unlikely star in today's white wine landscape dominated by Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc; yet this indigenous Italian variety - once popular before being overshadowed by curve-shaped bottles during the 70s - remains one of Italy's greatest and longest-living whites.

Verdicchio has seen something of a comeback recently in the right hands, as shown at a tasting held by PUNCH this month. Wines like La Staffa in Jesi's crystal riserva and Bisci in Matelica's elegantly mineral and fruity wine illustrate this trend towards transparent white winemaking such as that found with Muscadet (extended lees aging concrete, for instance). These examples reveal its revitalized status across Marche.

Gavi

Gavi, produced from Cortese grapes and named for its place of origin in Piedmont, northwest Italy, is a light yet refreshing white wine ideal for pairing with seafood dishes, summer salads or antipasti.

Gavi wines tend to be unoaked, meaning that they're best enjoyed when consumed quickly after purchase. Some producers produce aged Gavi that will benefit from additional time in the cellar.

La Scolca offers a charming straw color wine characterized by floral and citrus aromas. On the palate it delivers bold yet fresh green apple and pear flavors for a deliciously balanced finish - ideal as an aperitif or when enjoying with chicken, pasta and vegetable dishes.

Soave

Soave enjoyed an unexpectedly brief moment of success in the US market where it outsold Chianti, but has long remained underappreciated as an Italian white wine.

Soave wines, known by their Italian pronunciation of "swah-vay," are made from Garganega grapes grown in vineyards near the medieval village of Soave in northeast Italy. A typical Soave Classico may contain up to 70% Garganega grapes while Trebbiano or Chardonnay grapes can fill out its composition.

Soave can range in texture from lean and rich depending on its aging process, typically boasting notes of peach, apricot and honeydew with minerality notes. A great Soave also exhibits brininess that pairs beautifully with seafood dishes.

Etna Bianco

Etna Bianco is a blend of native white grape varieties found on Sicily, usually comprising at least 60 percent carricante, a low-acidic variety that produces wines with salty, savory characteristics as well as citrus notes like lemon, apricot, and apple. Winemakers may add catarratto, grecanico, inzolia, or trebbiano varieties in order to smooth out its acidity and add body.

Tornatore has sourced its fruit for this bottling from vineyards on the northern slope of Mount Etna, where fluctuating day/night temperatures help structure these white wines with citrus notes, salinity and creamy notes due to lees aging.

Arneis

Arneis is a delicate white grape with floral and fruity aromas of pear, apricot, white flowers, chamomile and almond. Usually made into dry wines but sometimes sweet passito style too; its moderate acidity provides full waxy mouthfeels.

Piedmont in northwest Italy is home to this varietal grape, originally blended with Nebbiolo to soften its tannic grip; today however, Roero grows it as a single varietal and it is known by many as "White Barolo."

Arneis grapes can also be found growing in California and Australia, and are known for producing zesty citrus notes with subtle Mediterranean herb notes that pair beautifully with seafood dishes.