As the Italian wine industry is largely defined by indigenous varietals, the country’s most important wines are all about distinctiveness. Brunello di Montalcino from Tuscany is 100% Sangiovese, Barolo and Barbaresco are produced exclusively from Nebbiolo in Piedmont, while Soave, the famed Venetian white, is crafted primarily from Garganega. 

These are some of the best-known Italian wines, but there are hundreds of others that are as singular, yet rarely receive much attention. Here are four wines and one wine zone - that are particularly special, ranging from the Friuli Venezia Giulia (often referred to simply as Friuli) region in the far northeast to Campania in the southwestern reaches of the country.