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Master Sommelier Theory 2025 > Oregon, Washington > Flashcards

Oregon, Washington Flashcards

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Introductory Sommelier Exam (CMS) flashcards
1
Q

List the AVAs shared between Oregon and Washington

A

Columbia Gorge
Columbia Valley
Walla Walla Valley

Rocks of Milton Freewater- AVA is entirely in Oregon, but WA producers grow grapes there

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2
Q

Rocks of Milton Freewater AVA- where is it? Soil? Grapes?

A

within Walla Walla ACA. Northern Oregon near WA border, but entirely on OR side. Rhone varieties, particularly Syrah

unique boundaries for an AVA: drawn around an alluvial fan - 96% of the area’s soils are uniform

Freewater Series: cobblestone-rich gravels deposited by Walla Walla River. basalt- volcanic cobblestones from the Blue Mountains (similar to galets in CdP)

producers: Cayuse, Zerba Cellars, Watermill Winery

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3
Q

Which two mountain ranges is the Willamette Valley between?

A

Cascades and the Coastal Range

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4
Q

Who were the pioneers of Oregon Pinot Noir?

A

David Lett of Eyrie
Charles Coury
Dick Erath
Dick Ponzi
Joseph Drouhin

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5
Q

Who was the first to plant Pinot Noir in Oregon?

A

Richard Sommers in 1961
Hillcrest Winery in Umpqua Valley, which remains Oregon’s oldest winery

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6
Q

List the original 6 sub AVAs within Willamette?

A

Dundee Hills
Eola Amity Hills
Ribbon Ridge
McMinnville
Yamhill-Carlton
Chehalem Mountains

these AVAs were drawn to match the reach of the floodwater from the Missoula floods

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7
Q

Which 5 AVAs were recently added as sub AVAs in Willamette Valley?

A

Van Duzer Corridor 2019
Laurelwood District 2020
Tualatin Hills 2020
Lower Long Tom 2021
Mt Pisgah Polk County Oregon 2022

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8
Q

What are the 4 main soil types in the Willamette valley?

A

Marine Sediment
Volcanic
Loess (wind blown)
Missoula Flood Deposits

note* there are NO limestone soils here

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9
Q

Oregon marine sediment soil type - where is it found? Describe the wines

A

Mostly in the western side of the valley.
The Willakenzie series in the northern Willamette Valley and the Bellpine series in the south are examples. They tend to be sandier and thinner than the volcanic soils. around 15 million years ago

Pinot Noir wines produced on marine sedimentary soils are typically noted as darker in color and fruit profile.

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10
Q

Jory soils - what is it? where is it found? Describe the wines

A

Jory soils are volcanic soils, common in the “red hills” of Dundee Hills AVA in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. These soils formed 15-17 million years ago as the Cascades rose. They sit atop basalt bedrock

Nekia series is shallow volcanic soil

The wines are described as light in color, with red fruit aromas. Also in Douglas County

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11
Q

Loess soil in Oregon - where is it found?

A

In the northern part of the Valley, on NE facing hillsides. Reddish silt soils. Examples include the Laurelwood, Cornelius, and Cascade series. around

2.5 million years old

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12
Q

Missoula Flood Deposits in Oregon -where are they found?

A

These fertile soils are in the valley floor, only about 10% of the Willamette has these soils- fertile, low lying. around 12,000 years old

(Woodburn, Wilammette series)

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13
Q

Which AVAs are impacted by winds coming in through the Van Duzer corridor? How does it affect the wines?

A

Van Duzer Corridor
McMinnville
Eola Amity Hills

results in a more tannic style of Pinot Noir

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14
Q

List the AVAs of Southern Oregon

A

Southern Oregon AVA

Umpqua Valley, including:
Elkton Oregon
Red Hill Douglas County, Oregon

Rogue Valley
Applegate Valley

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15
Q

Main grapes grown in Southern Oregon

A

Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon,
Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay

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16
Q

What is the warmest and driest AVA west of the Cascades in Oregon?

A

Applegate Valley

Cabernet, Syrah, Zinfandel

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17
Q

Oregon varietal wines - what is the minimum % of the stated variety that must be present?

A

90%

federal rules: 75%

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18
Q

Oregon wines- labeled with state or county?

A

100% of grapes must come from Oregon

federal rules: 75%

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19
Q

Oregon varietal wines - what is the minimum % of the stated AVA that must be present?

A

95%

federal rules: 85%

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20
Q

List 3 producers based in the Eola Amity Hills

A

Antica Terra 2005
Lingua Franca 2012
Cristom 1992
Evening Lands
Bethel Heights
Evesham Wood
Failla

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21
Q

List 2 producers based in Yamhill Carlton

A

Ken Wright 1994
Tendrill

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22
Q

Where is Adelsheim based?

A

Chehalem Mountains, est 1971

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23
Q

Where is Eyrie based?

A

Dundee Hills, est 1965

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24
Q

Where is Domaine Drouhin based in Oregon?

A

Dundee hills, est 1987

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25
Q

Where is Beaux Freres based?

A

Ribbon Ridge, est 1986

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26
Q

What is Willakenzie? Where is it found

A

Marine sediment soil in Willamette Valley. Ribbon Ridge, Chehalem Mtns

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27
Q

What grapes are grown in the Columbia Valley?

A

Cabernet
Pinot Noir
Syrah

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28
Q

What AVA is shared between Oregon and Idaho?

A

Snake River

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29
Q

Washington important red grapes

A

Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Syrah
Cabernet Franc

Cabernet and Merlot together account for about 1/3 of the state’s total Acreage

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30
Q

Washington important white grapes

A

Chardonnay
Riesling
Pinot Gris
Sauvignon Blanc
Gewürztraminer

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31
Q

Washington climate? influencing factors? Average rainfall in growing areas?

A

Continental, arid

in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains, average 6-12 inches per year. 11 inches in Yakima Valley

average diurnal shift in Columbia Valley is 28 degrees, but it can swing up to 40 degrees F in some areas

the Rockies to the north and east also shelter the Columbia basin from icy polar air masses

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32
Q

Washington soil types- bedrock vs topsoil? What are most vineyards planted on?

A

bedrock: basalt

topsoil: Missoula Flood Sediment- nutrient rich deposits called “Touchet Beds”

vineyards on: sandy, silty loam, loess

soils are “eolian” or shaped by the wind

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33
Q

Which AVAs are nested within Columbia Valley?

A

Wahluke Slope
Yakima Valley
Horse Heaven Hills
Walla Walla Valley
Columbia Gorge

inside Yakima Valley:
Snipes Mountain
Rattlesnake Hills
Red Mountain
Candy Mountain
Goose Gap

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34
Q

Which AVAs are nested within Yakima Valley?

A

(within Columbia Valley, WA)

Snipes Mountain
Rattlesnake Hills
Red Mountain
Candy Mountain
Goose Gap

35
Q

List 5 producers Washington

A

Woodward Canyon (Walla Walla)
Grammercy Cellars (Columbia Valley)
Cayuse (Walla Walla)
Leonetti (Walla Walla)
Andrew Will (HHH)
Echolands (Walla Walla)

36
Q

Approximately how many acres does the Columbia Valley cover?

A

11 million! Over a quarter of Washington’s land mass

37
Q

Rattlesnake Hills AVA- where is this? Elevation? Grapes?

A

within Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington, 850–3,085 feet. slightly cooler than Red Mountain

Merlot, Riesling, Cabernet

Andrew Will’s estate Two Blondes Vineyard, Côte Bonneville’s Dubrul Vineyard are here, but both label Yakima Valley - there was local opposition to the creation of this AVA

38
Q

Red Mountain AVA

A

within Yakima Valley- hottest wine regionof WA. Desert-like climate- receiving average 5 inches rainfall per year. also the most densely planted AVA in the state

reputation for good Cabernet

producers: Col Solare, Force Majeure, Upchurch Vineyards

source fruit from here: Ciel du Cheval, Kiona, Klipsun

39
Q

Col Solare

A

in Red Mountain, Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, WA

collaboration between Tuscany’s Antinori and Washington’s Chateau Ste. Michelle

40
Q

Walla Walla AVA

A

shared between OR and WA. more than half of the area is in Oregon, but more producers in WA.

Walla Walla = “many waters,” at confluence of 3 rivers- the Columbia, Walla Walla, and Snake Rivers

Blue Mountains to east, and more rainfall as you move east

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah account for over 80% of plantings

non AVA sub regions: Mill Creek and North Fork of Walla Walla Valley- close to Blue Mtns, may be AVAs one day

41
Q

Walla Walla soils

A

the Walla Walla Valley is covered in loess, frequently reaching 25-30 ft. in depth. At Leonetti’s Loess Vineyard in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, the soil extends 50 ft. or more in depth. It’s an arable, fertile soil, but in Washington’s arid to semi-arid environment this does not have to be a drawback.

Loess can hold up to three inches of water per square foot, but it is still free-draining.

42
Q

List 3 wineries in Ribbon Ridge

A

Adelsheim
Brick House
Beaux Freres

43
Q

Oregon’s largest producer?

A

King Estates

the state approved a 10,000 acre extension of the Willamette Valley AVA southward for them

44
Q

What brought Drouhin to Oregon?

A

David Lett’s Eyrie Vineyards South Block Pinot NOir 1975 vintage- brought to to French tastings, up against several Burgundies. The wine performed well, catching the interest of Robert Drouhin and leading him to come to Oregon in 1987

45
Q

Willamette vs Burgundy

A

both around 45 degrees north
very similar average annual temperatures, and both Region I climates

however- Burgundy gets hotter in the summer, and has a slightly shorter growing season

Willamette is wetter, but gets its rains in winter, whereas most of Burgundy’s rains are in the growing season- rot is less of a concern in OR.

also, frost is rarely an issue in OR

46
Q

What is LIVE?

A

Created by Ted Besteel of Bethel Heights- Low Input Viticulture and Enology (LIVE) Program.

non-profit organization committed to a more sustainable future for its member wineries and promotes an overall reduction in the number of raw materials—from water to chemical fertilizers and pesticides—required in the vineyard and winery. LIVE offers third-party sustainability certification for vineyards and wineries in Oregon (since 1999) and Washington (since 2006).

Wineries may use the LIVE logo on labels, provided the winery is LIVE-certified and at least 97% of the grapes come from a LIVE-certified vineyard. Wines produced in non-certified wineries may add this phrase instead: “made with LIVE-certified grapes.” Many of Willamette Valley’s top wineries now carry LIVE certification.

47
Q

Viticultural threats Willamette

A

birds! If left unchecked, a single flock can peck apart an entire vineyard on its journey south, and birds are particularly damaging in later harvests.

Grape rust mites are a nuisance in the springtime, and rodents like gophers and voles are a constant headache for growers

phylloxera arrived in 1990- many own rooted vineyards ‘live with the infestation’

48
Q

Dundee Hills AVA

A

in the northern Willamette, elevation ranges from 200 ft. to 1,067 ft. Red Jory soils (volcanic). The hills’ elevation limits frost exposure, provides better air drainage to shield against botrytis, and brings the vineyards up and out of the valley floor’s vigorous flood-borne soils

most densely planted region in Oregon. likely oldest vines in Oregon- Eyrie’s Original Vines Pinot Gris was planted in 1965

vineyards: Maresh Vineyard, Abbey Ridge, Thomas Vineyard, Eyrie

producers: Eyrie, Sokol Blosser, Domaine Drouhin, Archery Summit, Domaine Serene

49
Q

Yamhill Carlton AVA

A

just west of Dundee Hills, in Willamette. Marine sediment soils. 200-1000 ft elevation, in foothills of Coastal Mountains

vineyard: Shea

producers: Elk Cove, Ken Wright, and Penner-Ash

50
Q

Chehalem Mountains AVA

A

northern Willamette, just 19 miles south of Portland. elevation 200 ft. to 1,633 ft- summit of Bald Peak, highest point in Willamette. most planted AVA of Willamette overall

northern hillsides: windblown Laurelwood soils
south: volcanic, marine sediment

producers: Dick Erath, Ponzi, Adelsheim

Ribbon Ridge and Laurelwood District are both within Chehalem Mountains

51
Q

AVAs within Chehalem Mountains

A

Ribbon Ridge AVA
Laurelwood District AVA

52
Q

Ribbon Ridge AVA

A

smallest AVA in Willamette

soils predominantly Willakenzie series

producers: Brick House, Beaux Freres

53
Q

McMinnville AVA

A

westernmost AVA in Willamette.

squarely in mouth of Van Duzer Corridor- strong, cold Pacific winds come through, reducing berry size and crop load, and producing thicker skins. vines planted on east facing slopes to shelter from the western winds

biggest diurnal shift in Willamette
mix of soil types

54
Q

Eola Amity Hills AVA

A

Like windblown “eolian” soils, the name Eola is derived from Aeolus, Greek god of winds, and the AVA itself sits directly east of the Van Duzer Corridor.

eastern hills: Nekia series (basalt, thin volcanic)
western: more marine sediment

vineyards: Seven Springs (Evening Land), Jerusalem Hill (Serene), Roserock (Drouhin)

producers: Bethel Heights, Justice Vineyard, Temperance Hill, and Argyle’s Spirit Hill, Evening Land, Walter Scott, Antica Terra, Lingua Franca

55
Q

Van Duzer Corridor AVA

A

est 2019, affected by cold pacific winds.

marine sediment soils

producers: Van Duzer, Johan, and Firesteed

56
Q

First Pinot Noir in Willamette?

A

planted by David Lett, of Eyrie

also planted first Pinot Gris vineyards in 1966

57
Q

Umpqua Valley AVA

A

in Southern Oregon.
nested: Elkton, Oregon, and Red Hills Douglas County

red Jory soils

Richard Sommer planted first PN in Oregon here in 1961

Abacela is another producer

58
Q

Rogue Valley AVA

A

Southern Oregon- warmest in the state. Applegate Valley AVA is nested here- warmest and driest west of the Cascades. Also highest- viticulture rises to 2000 ft here

non AVA subzones: Illinois Valley, in the west, and Bear Valley- more inland.

vineyard: Del Rio (huge at 300+ acres)

producers: Bridgeview, Foris, Cowhorn

59
Q

Idaho AVAs

A

The Snake River Valley AVA, approved in 2007 and shared with Oregon, is the heart of Idaho’s modern, nascent wine industry.

Within the Snake River Valley, Eagle Foothills AVA was approved in late 2015 as the first viticultural area located entirely within the state of Idaho.

The Lewis-Clark Valley AVA, Idaho’s historical center of viticulture, finally achieved AVA status in early 2016. It is located further north and crosses the Washington border.

60
Q

Major mountains Columbia Gorge

A

Cascades- Mount Hood and Mount Adams

61
Q

Rocks of Milton Freewater bottlings labeled Walla Walla

A

from growers on the WA side-

Reynvaan “In the Rocks” Syrah
Dusted Valley “Tall Tales” Syrah
Rotie Cellars “Northern Blend”
Sleight of Hand “Psychedelic Syrah”
Two Vintners “Some Days Are Stones”
Saviati “The Funk”

62
Q

Oregon Chardonnay clones

A

originally Wente from Napa were planted- but they struggled to do well. Eventually David Adelsheim brought in Dijon clones that did better

massale selection / clonal selection helped

63
Q

Largest producers in WA?

A

Ste Michelle Wine Estates- around 60% of the state’s output, and world’s largest Riesling producer

also: Columbia Crest, Hogue Cellars, Hedges Family Estate, K Vintners, Gallo,

64
Q

phylloxera in WA

A

almost non-existent- kept at bay by the severe winters, inhospitable sandy soils, and the great physical distances from one vineyard to the next

65
Q

Yakima Fold Belt

A

much of WA’s vineyard area- a series of east-west ridgelines going from 1000ft up to 40000 ft, formed during the Miocene period.

Valley floors, such as those in Yakima Valley and Walla Walla Valley, therefore tend to have greater frost pressure, wider diurnal temperature variations, and lower wintertime temperatures.

A move upward in elevation, past the 1,000-foot mark, has given vineyards a chance to go the distance—growing degree-day, temperature, and frost-free day averages all typically increase with elevation in eastern Washington

66
Q

Why is elevation important in WA’s vineyards?

A

most of WA is planted on the Yakima Fold Belt- a series of ridges/anticlines. Vineyards planted under 1000 ft of elevation are more prone to frost, and get too cold in the winter (cold air sinks into the basins)

vineyards planted over 1000ft have a better chance- less frost, warmer temps, etc- protected during the brutal winter, despite being higher up

67
Q

how do vines survive the winter in WA?

A

fruiting canes can be buried during the winter to protect them

also dual trunk training- two trunks planted side by side- statistically, both won’t be damaged in the same winter. reduces risk of freeze damage by half in harsh winters

68
Q

Steele Act

A

of 1934- established the Washington State Liquor Control Board to act as sole wholesaler of all wines and spirits. It later allowed private distribution of WA made wines. quality was not great. maintined it’s monopoly until 1969

69
Q

Pioneers of WA wine

A

Walter Clore- first planted experimental vinifera vines in 1940, finding sites where the vines could survive the winters

Associated Vintners (now Columbia Winery)- 1962

Andre Tchelistcheff- impressed with the AV, started American Wine Growers in the Puget Sound. this is now Ste Michelle

70
Q

AVAs of the Columbia Valley

A

Columbia Valley (WA/OR),

Yakima Valley, including:
Rattlesnake Hills
Candy Mountain
Goose Gap
Red Mountain
Snipes Mountain

Walla Walla Valley (WA/OR)
The Rocks of Milton-Freewater (OR)
Horse Heaven Hills
Wahluke Slope
Lake Chelan
Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley
Naches Heights
Royal Slope
Rocky Reach
The Burn of Columbia Valley,
White Bluffs

71
Q

Cold Creek Vineyard

A

Chateau Ste Michele’s Cold Creek is one of the last sites outside of a nested AVA. Cold Creek Vineyard is located east of Yakima Valley, the 850-acre vineyard lies in one of the state’s warmest areas, and it is a flagship site in the company’s portfolio. It is also a historic site for the state: its oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vines date to 1973. (not the oldest in the state though)

72
Q

WA’s first Cabernet vines?

A

in Otis Vineyard, Yakima Valley. Planted in 1957

73
Q

Snipes Mountain AVA

A

within Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley. oldest vinifera plantings in the state are here- William Bridgman’s small plot of 1917 Muscat of Alexandria vines, are located on the Upland Vineyards property on Snipes Mountain

min 750 ft, up to 1310 ft elevation

producer: Upland is the only one

74
Q

Candy Mountain AVA

A

within Yakima Valley, Comubia Valley, WA

states smallest AVA with 72 acres

75
Q

WA’s newest AVA?

A

Rocky Reach, approved 2022, Columbia Valley AVA

76
Q

WA Vinea

A

Washington Winegrowers’ Sustainable Trust, an organization committed to promoting sustainability—if not wholly organic practices—amongst its members. Vinea provides guidelines and guideposts to move toward sustainable, environmentally friendly practices in the vineyard, and the organization collaborates with Oregon’s LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology) to conduct certification

77
Q

Horse Heaven Hills

A

in Columbia Valley- has about a quarter of the state’s vineyards, but only a couple of producers are based here

vineyards
Champoux- Quilceda Creek, Andrew Will
Alder Ridge
Phinney Hill
Canoe Ridge (CSM red wine)
Benches - Longshadow Ranch

78
Q

Walla Walla producers

A

Leonetti
Woodward Canyon
Cayuse
Pepper Bridge
Waters Winery
Grammercy Cellars
Va Piano
Rotie Cellars
Figgins Family

79
Q

Wahluke Slope

A

in Columbia Valley, WA.

translates to “watering hole,” but is driest AVA in the state with only 6 inches rainfall annually

region’s first commercial vineyard was Weinbau, planted in 1981 by Germany’s F.W. Langguth Erben, a company best known today for its “Blue Nun” brand

80
Q

Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley

A

very dry, but cooler temps- its temperatures are moderated by a series of 35 glacial lakes that knife through the region.

white grapes are the focus here: Riesling is its most planted variety and white varieties altogether account for 80% of the region’s vines.

Milbrandt Vineyards is the AVA’s largest operation

81
Q

Lake Chelan AVA

A

northernmost nest AVA in Columbia Valley

the lake is a glacial lake, cooling the surrounding area

Pinot Noir and Riesling

soil: Pumiceous gravely sandy loam- Missoula floods didn’t reach here

82
Q

WA AVAs not in Columbia Valley?

A

Columbia Gorge AVA
Puget Sound AVA
Lewis-Clark Valley AVA

83
Q

Columbia Gorge AVA

A

shared b/t OR and WA, majority of area is in WA

vineyards: Atavus Vineyard, Celio Vineyard,
producers: Analemma, Hiyu Wine Farm

84
Q

Puget Sound AVA

A

west of the Cascades in WA- coolest in state, with more rainfall. Was planted first, because irrigation isn’t required. mostly white production

Pinot Noir, Riesling, Siegerrebe, Müller-Thurgau, Madeleine Angevine

producers: Bainbridge Island Vineyards, Bayernmoore, Vashon Winery, Ch. Ste Michelle

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