Episode 98: Trader Joe's Went to Sonoma And All You Get Is Some Incredible Sparkling Wine

Hard as it may be to fathom, we're headed into the home stretch, with almost an entire year in the rearview mirror. This is a time of parties and celebrations, gatherings of families and friends. All of these occasions could benefit from bubbles, specifically those you'll sip in a glass of crisp and refreshing sparkling wine. In this episode of Inside Trader Joe's, we're traveling to Sonoma, deep in the heart of California's wine country, where some of our favorite sparkling wines are carefully crafted and bottled. Travel with us to Northern California, then make the short trek to your neighborhood Trader Joe's and pick up a bottle of your favorite bubbly. It'll make any occasion special. Transcript (PDF)

Oh by golly there's a lot to discover this holiday season at your neighborhood Trader Joe's! In this episode of Inside Trader Joe's, we're sharing an inside look at just a few – okay, 16, so... several? – of our favorite finds for this festive season. Breakfast goodies and crunchy cookies. A quartet of trios ready for gifting to the foodies on your list (including yourself!). Cheeses for all the occasions. And salads and apps to make every gathering great. Tune in, make a list, then hop on your sleigh and head to TJ's to pick up everything you need (and want!) to make your holidays merry and bright. Transcript (PDF)

There's a big holiday meal on the horizon, and Trader Joe's is here to help with all your last-minute planning. In this episode, we're sharing three of our favorite (in this moment) recipes to help make your holiday feast a rousing success. A no-fuss appetizer that overdelivers on flavor. A different – and delicious! – twist on a holiday classic. And a meatless main dish that will make the non-meat-eaters at your table truly thankful they joined your gathering. You'll find all these recipes – and so many more, for every occasion – at traderjoes.com/recipes. [Links to the featured recipes below.] Transcript (PDF) Blue Cheese Stuffed Dates Garlicky Sweet Chili Green Beans Risotto-Stuffed Delicata Squash

Welcome to another episode of the Trader Joe's Wine Club, brought to you by Inside Trader Joe's. In this sip-sized segment, we have a couple of super suggestions for wines to serve for Thanksgiving. It's a big meal, filled with big flavors, and the right wine pairing for such a varied feast can seem elusive. Not anymore. Join us for a conversation with one of our resident wine whizzes, where we uncork a classic California Chardonnay, and a Pinot Noir that proves you can (and perhaps should) serve red wine with poultry. Then head to your neighborhood Trader Joe's to pick up a bottle for today, and another for your holiday meal, without busting your budget!  Transcript (PDF)

Gummies, gummies, everywhere, and more each time we blink! Sure, it's not as poetic as Coleridge, but Trader Joe's really has upped the ante in our Gummy game – and we are here for it! Do you like the classics? We have those. You're more the sour sort? Saunter on in and get ready to pucker! Is a filled gummy your jam? We truly understand, and we're filling that void. Thanks to a visit from our resident Gummy Guru (aka, our Candy Category Manager), this episode is downright bouncy, packed with fun info about the wide variety of gummies at Trader Joe's, and a look into the wider world of gummy invention – we'll admit we were unaware of just how wide that world was, and this conversation opened our eyes and tingled our tastebuds. What's YOUR favorite Trader Joe's Gummy? Transcript (PDF)

We get a lot of questions at Trader Joe's. And we really love answering them. One question we get all the time is about our product names. Why are some of them just descriptive (say, Cauliflower Gnocchi) while others are decidedly silly (This Strawberry Walks Into a Bar, anyone?)? Every Trader Joe's product has a story to tell – sometimes that story is really straightforward, and sometimes it's silly and whimsical and fun. In the spirit of making grocery shopping a fun and exciting adventure rather than a mundane chore, we're always looking for the silly, the whimsical, and the fun. Have a listen, then head to your neighborhood Trader Joe's to find your favorite. (Midnight Moo, perhaps?) Transcript (PDF)

Is it still summer in your neck of the woods? Scorching temps and sunny skies? Call us crazy, but even when the weather is wonderful, we're hankering for the flavors of fall. And it just so happens that fall is well underway at your neighborhood Trader Joe's. Maple Ice Cream Sandwiches, Juicy Apple Gummies, Maple Brown Sugar Cold Foam (YES!), Butternut Squash Risotto, Maple Brown Butter Almonds… perhaps you've realized we're mad for maple! This list is filled with so many new products, destined to be seasonal stalwarts. Have a listen, then pay us a visit and pick up your faves. Check out traderjoes.com and @traderjoes on Instagram for more on what's new and what's back (finally!) at your Trader Joe's. Transcript (PDF)

When the weather's warm (okay, scorching hot), and the last thing you want to do is heat up your kitchen, turning up the heat on your grill is a great way to get dinner on the table. In this episode of Inside Trader Joe's, we're going outside for some grilling tips from some of our grill-grate gurus. In place of the usual suspects, we're firing up some unexpected burgers and well-seasoned lamb. Then we're taking a trip through the garden to discover some truly delightful (and delicious!) veggies and fruits that really shine after a few quick minutes over an open flame. Have a listen, then switch off the oven, heat up the grill, and enjoy these dog (and burger!) days of summer. Transcript (PDF)

It's a known known that people across the land love a good contest. It's also a known known that Trader Joe's Crew Members across the country know the very best ways to use Trader Joe's products. The known unknown in the 2025 Store Recipe Contest scenario… which store would come up with the very best recipe, crafted using a mere five Trader Joe's products? That, dear podcast listeners, is revealed in this episode of Inside Trader Joe's. We'll go inside the winning store, talk to the creative Crew behind the winning entry, and find out how the judges came to their decision. You'll find the winning recipe at traderjoes.com, and all the ingredients you need to recreate it at your neighborhood Trader Joe's. Transcript (PDF)

Welcome to another episode of the Trader Joe's Wine Club, brought to you by Inside Trader Joe's. In this sip-sized segment, we're going all-in on super sippers for summertime soirees, with bottles you may have missed in our wine section; wines that are excellent for afternoon barbecues, evenings with friends, and weekends relaxing on a patio chair. Listen in for a quick introduction to our favorite Italian Vermentino and a classic Pacific Northwest Pinot Noir, then head to your neighborhood Trader Joe's to pick up a bottle of each! Transcript (PDF)