The pros: Trader Joe's Italian Marinara Sauce with Barolo Wine is new and has an almost homemade taste to it. This is far more complex than most other sauces. The smell of this had me both smiling and thinking about Julia Child.
The cons: Slightly more expensive than some of the other sauces on the shelves. Jar indicates that the whole jar should be consumed in three days.
The verdict:
Sometime at the end August, if you walk down my block you will see lots of people outside. There is almost no parking and everyone has their largest pots out. Why? Even in suburban New York, there is the tradition of canning the tomatoes for the year. My neighbors spend the better part of two full days peeling and canning the summer's harvest.
While I have not taken part of this annual event because my husband, an Italian-American does not actually like red sauce. I know you had to do a double take on that sentence, but it is true. He does not like tomato sauce, marinara, or gravy depending on how you view sauce. He especially does not like chunks of tomato. While I have gotten him to consume Trader Joe's Pizza Sauce, I know that this sauce was a non-starter.
That's a good thing. More for me.
If you are hoping for a watery sauce or one that lacks any form of texture, then skip this sauce. If you enjoy a good sauce, one that is close to homemade, then reach for this. This has all the familiar textures of a homemade sauce. It has the traditional ingredients of diced tomatoes, tomato paste, onions, carrots, and celery. Growing up, my father always made sauce, frequently on Saturdays to be served on Sunday. He, too, put red wine in his.
Yes, that red wine is the first fragrance that hit my nose upon opening this jar. In fact, all my thoughts were almost immediate in a faux French Julia Child style voice. In fact the tanins from the wine came right through in terms of flavor.
Before mixing this with pasta, I took a spoonful. It was far more complex than any run of the mill brand. This was very different.
Placed and mixed with some homemade spaghetti and I was enamored with this sauce. If this had been cooked with the meatballs and brasciole then it would bring me back to the good ol' days of that day old sauce where the flavors has combined into something more complex and rich. There are big chunks of tomato to remind you that this is a bit more rustic in style.
If I had to come up with some complaints, then it would be that the jar indicates that it should be consumed in three days. For some households this might be a challenge. Also, it was a bit salty. With some plain pasta, the saltiness did go away.
For $3.49 this has become my favorite sauce. Fortunately, Trader Joe's has indicated that this is not seasonal, but instead is going to become a regular on the shelves.
Here is the visual run down of what you get if you buy this product:
The jar of Trader Joe's Italian Marinara Sauce with Barolo Wine:
The nutritional information and the ingredients:
With some spaghetti:
Would I buy this again? Yes, I would buy Trader Joe's Italian Marinara Sauce with Barolo Wine again. It might just become my new go to wine.
Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
Ellen Shick says
Hi,
I definitely will be trying this sauce. Your description is very intriguing. Even though I am not much of a sauce-in-the-jar kind of gal, in a pinch, it is good to have around. I love the idea that it is flavored with red wine. Also, how interesting that your Italian husband does not like tomato sauce! Just wondering, does he like pizza?
Thanks for your post!
becomebetty says
Yes, my husband loves pizza! However, he likes white pizza which is all cheese the most. He will only eat it homemade pizza if there are no chunks of tomato. So it either needs to be strained or I buy Trader Joe's Pizza Sauce which meets all the criteria: thin and no chunks of tomatoes. Thanks for taking the time to stop by Ellen! I really appreciate it!
Rachel Alexandra says
Yum! That looks really good. Trader Joe’s is my favorite grocery store!
becomebetty says
You and me both Rachel! Thanks for stopping by!
Ttrockwood says
Wow. Haven’t heard of that before, but perhyhe had too much tomato sauce as a kid. I’m anti-banana and anti-raisins because i think i ate a lifetime worth of both before i was twelve...
i totally loved this sauce! Great texture and certainly better than any tomato sauce i would whip up on a weeknight. It was great with some veggies and orzo, and when i had some again about five days after opening the jar (gasp!!) it was totally fine, had not gone bad and still delicious.
becomebetty says
Hey Ttrockwood! I'm glad you enjoyed it as much as I did. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your story and for sharing your thoughts on this item!
pumpkinspicedmom says
I love this sauce.
becomebetty says
Me too! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Joe says
Hi. excellent assessment of an excellent sauce. I grew up in an Italian neighborhood in New York, and I haven’t tasted sauce like this since I left 40 years ago, One of the few jarred sauces on the market that I can serve straight, without “doctoring”. Product of Italy too. Bravo!
becomebetty says
Hey Joe! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts! I agree. Most jarred sauces do require some doctoring and I don't do anything to this sauce.
Amy B says
Have you tried their vodka sauce? I'm interested in seeing how it is!
becomebetty says
Hey Amy B! I have not gotten to that yet. Hopefully soon. But so far, this pasta sauce was my favorite. Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by!
Bernadette says
It is a challenge for me to use this within 3 days…Do you think you can freeze the sauce?
becomebetty says
Hey Bernadette! Yes you could freeze it. I didnt have any problems using it after 3 days.
jack young says
I expected more from this sauce. It was a little better than average. Perhaps with a little "doctoring up", it might have been better. The wine taste was a little bit pronounced. Also it tasted a bit sour. I knew about the consume in 3 days recommendation on the label and there was no sell date. It sat unopened a week and I assumed it was 3 days after opening that it would go bad. Might buy it again and use it the same day to see if it makes any difference.
becomebetty says
Hey Jack! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts on this!
Barbara Lux says
I live in fear that Trader Joe's will discontinue the Marinara with Barollo Wine. I have been looking for the recipe, just in case. It has been a repeated experience for me to be very fond of a Trader Joe's product only to have them discontinue it. Can you help me locate the recipe?
becomebetty says
Hey Barbara! Well, I can tell you here in NY I haven't seen any shortage of supply so maybe your store just ran out. As for a recipe, I don't have one currently, but they key to this flavor is the barolo wine. It adds that depth of flavor. That and a heavy hand of salt too. I'll see if I can find something similar. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Michael E. Cummings says
Hey they have discontinued the sauce in NY. I have had trouble finding it and I'm very upset because this has become my favorite sauce and staple in my life and I don't know how I will continue to eat pasta without it I'm devastated and we must contact trader joes and demand that they bring this sauce back!!!!!!!!!!!!!
becomebetty says
Hey Michael! I too am bummed out that this is now off of shelves. Trader Joe's does listen to their customers, so if you want to reach out and complain about the disappearance of this product here is the best place to do so: https://www.traderjoes.com/contact-us/product-feedback