I grew Rio Grande for 2 or 3 years and it was merely okay. Heidi was better than it in every respect---produced more heavily, stayed healthier, had better heat/drought tolerance and had better flavor. Rio Grande was no different than 99% of the other paste tomato varieties out there---suitable for canning but nothing special in terms of flavor. Heidi is the standard by which I judge all other paste tomatoes and nothing else ever comes close. On a list of Top 25 paste tomatoes I've ever grown, I bet Rio Grande wouldn't even make the list.

Now Dawn... tell us how you really feel ;)

I grew Rio Grande a couple of years as well. I, too, prefer Heidi. Rio Grande's fruit is probably just a little larger. I think it might keep just a tiny bit better. But Heidi tastes better and produces a whole lot more.

Rio Grande's plant is much more restrained in growth. It's decidedly determinate.

Okiedawn,

Would Amish Paste or Speckled Roman, San Marzano make your list?

So, y'all know how tomato obsessed I am. As soon as I mentioned Viva Italia, I had to go see if I could find it online with a Google search. I did, and the first entry that popped up was Burpee. Here's its reviews from their webpage. Apparently I am not the only person who likes Viva Italia:

Reviews of Viva Italia

I have noticed this tomato for years but never knew anything about it. I guess I will have to try it and see what happens.

Roma VF, Heidi & San Marzano put on loads of tomatoes for me. The Amish Paste had fewer tomatoes but they were nice large tomatoes. The Speckled Roman's didn't put on as many as the Amish Paste but were nice tomatoes. I put Macmex's idea to use, I don't have a blender so I cooked the tomatoes, quartered and all the seed that could be raked out, until mushy and then ran them through a food processer until they turned to juice. This made a very nice thick juice. Macmex makes sauce this way, but I can't call mine sauce as it is more of a juice.

It should be great juice. If you either boil it down or thicken it with paste, I bet it would be a great sauce too. I hope you enjoy it. You've worked hard enough to get it! I try to treasure the tomatoes we get because some years we have to fight every bird, beast, varmint, insect and disease just to get them. I never take wonderful fresh tomatoes for granted.

Enjoyed reading through this tonight.