Glass in Session® Winecast

Val Caruso
  • 5.0 (12)
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  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Glass in Session® is a wine education podcast hosted by Val Caruso, DWS, CWE, FWS. She's a certified wine educator, lifelong learner, & shameless corkdork. Every 2nd and 4th Friday there will be a new Glass in Session® focusing on a new topic. Val's mission is to educate, entertain, and empower the wine learner, wine lover, or wine curious by seeking out the fun - and sometimes funny - side of wine education.

  1. Vodka: Wars, Empires, and Culture (wars) [Re-Release]

    15H AGO ·  BONUS

    Vodka: Wars, Empires, and Culture (wars) [Re-Release]

    [Originally Released: 25 March 2022]   Vodka: What it is, where it's from, its role in the rise and fall of empires and … barbarians? Again? This episode is especially relevant to current events, and hopes to elucidate otherwise confusing issues around boycotting Russian Vodka: it has history, scandal, and irresistible international intrigue, especially considering the host isn't even a fan of the neutral spirit itself. Resources from this episode: Books: Society of Wine Educators: Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS) Study Guide, Nickles, J. (2020) Grossman's Guide to Wines Beers, and Spirits (7th Edition) Grossman, H., (Revised by Harriett Lembeck), (1983) The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails [Kindle Edition], Wondrich, D & Rothbaum, N., (2022) Websites: CNN Business: States want to boycott Russian vodka: Here's why that won't work, Valinsky, J. (27 February 2022) https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/27/business/russian-vodka-boycotts/index.html Eater: The Empty Politics of Stoli's name change, Saxena, J. (7 March 2022) https://www.eater.com/2022/3/7/22965518/stoli-vodka-made-latvia-russian-name-change-stolichnaya Forbes: Ditching Russian Vodka? Here's where other favorite vodkas are produced, Micallef, J.V. (26 February 2022) https://www.forbes.com/sites/joemicallef/2022/02/26/ditching-russian-vodka-heres--where-your-favorite-vodkas-are-made/?sh=392f30382350 Russia Beyond: What's the Story Behind the Iconic Stolichnaya Vodka Brand? Zubacheva, K. (4 February 2020) https://www.rbth.com/history/331637-stolichnaya-vodka-history Stoli Group: Stoli Group Denounces Russian Aggression and Shares History of Opposition https://stoli.com/ Time: Tsar Nicholas II thought vodka was hurting Russians - but banning it helped destroy his empire, Schrad, M. L. (20 July 2021) https://time.com/6082058/russian-revolution-vodka/ Wine, Wit, and Wisdom - The Official Blog of the Society of Wine Educators: New for Norway - Norsk Vodka and Norsk Akavit PGI, Nickles, J.. (6 February 2020) https://winewitandwisdomswe.com/2020/02/06/new-for-norway-norsk-vodka-and-norsk-akvavit-pgi/ Glass in Session® Episodes Mentioned in this Session: S9E4:The Silk Roads Lead to Samarkand & Uzbek Wine https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s9e4-the-silk-roads-lead-to-samarkand-uzbek-wine S9E2: Whisky, Burns Night, and … Beerhenge? https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s9e2-whisky-burns-night-and-beerhenge S8E3: Once Upon a Wine Grape in Afghanistan https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s8e3-once-upon-a-wine-grape-in-afghanistan Glass in Session® merch mentioned on this show: https://www.teepublic.com/user/glass-in-session Glass in Session® is a registered trademark of Vino With Val, LLC. Music: "Write Your Story" by Joystock (Jamendo.com cc_Standard License, Jamendo S.A.)

    26 min
  2. Orange / Amber Wines [Re-Release]

    APR 10 ·  BONUS

    Orange / Amber Wines [Re-Release]

    (Originally released Oct 25, 2019) This orange (amber) wine episode discusses winemaking, the origins of the style, and what makes them unique. They aren't red wines, despite skin maceration and fermentation. They aren't white wines, despite being made with white grapes. And they are not rose' wines. They are their own thing, and are the subject of much more press and literature than a decade ago. Resources from this episode: Books: Oxford Companion to Wine, 4th Edition [Kindle Edition], Robinson (2015) Uncorking the Caucases: Wines from Turkey, Armenia, and Georgia, Horkey & Tan, (2016) Understanding Wine Technology: The science of wine explained, 3rd Edition, Bird, (2010) The Wine Bible, 2nd Edition, MacNeil (2015) Websites: Early Neolithic Wine of Georgia in the South Caucasus (McGovern, Jalabadze, Batiuk et al.) https://www.pnas.org/content/114/48/E10309 Georgian Wines: Older and wiser (Jefford) https://www.ft.com/content/7307e952-f50b-11e2-b4f8-00144feabdc0 Gravner https://www.gravner.it/ Wakawaka Wine Reviews https://wakawakawinereviews.com/2012/02/20/understanding-orange-wines-2-georgian-amber-wines-pheasants-tears-rkatsiteli-vinoterra-kisi/ Wines Georgia https://www.winesgeorgia.com Glass in Session® swag mentioned in this show: https://www.teepublic.com/user/glass-in-session Glass in session® is a production and registered trademark of Vino With Val, LLC. Music: Addict Sound - Happy Acoustic - (Jamendo.com cc_Standard License, Jamendo S.A.)

    18 min
  3. Wine (and other booze) in Space: Why, how, and some unexpected weirdness | S21E6

    MAR 27

    Wine (and other booze) in Space: Why, how, and some unexpected weirdness | S21E6

    Why did researchers send wine to space? Why is wine normally not allowed in space? Why did astronauts smuggle hooch into space anyway? We answer all these questions and more, address wet burps, a toilet tea party, and bring it home with how to smuggle cognac into space in this Season 21 Finale of the Glass in Session® Winecast. Resources from this episode: Websites:  BBC: Why astronauts are banned from getting drunk in space, Lufkin, B. (20 February 2017) https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20170217-why-astronauts-are-banned-from-getting-drunk-in-space Business Insider: Astronauts are banned from drinking alcohol at work, but this hasn't stopped them from sneaking everything from communion wine to cognac into space, Bhaimiya S. (23 August 2023) https://www.businessinsider.com/space-astronauts-booze-alcohol-drank-ban-examples-2023-8 Cordis Europa: What does fine wine taste like after more than a year in space? (Updated 8 April 2021) https://cordis.europa.eu/article/id/429608-trending-science-what-does-fine-wine-taste-like-after-more-than-a-year-in-space Decanter: Petrus Revealed as Wine Aged in Space, Mercer, C. (Updated 25 March 2021) https://www.decanter.com/wine-news/petrus-wine-space-research-project-455239/ Financial Times: Space Wine: What a trip to the stars did for a case of Petrus, Anson, J. (7 April 2021) https://www.ft.com/content/39c6ae7f-d2c8-4584-bac1-bb270c26cf2b London Daily: (27 March 2026) https://londondaily.com/french-wine-that-spent-more-than-a-year-in-orbit-on-international-space-station-could-fetch-1m-at-auction NASA: Meteors and Meteorites Facts https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/meteors-meteorites/facts/ New Scientist: Beer in Space: A short but frothy history, Davidson, A. (31 July 2007) https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn12388-beer-in-space-a-short-but-frothy-history/ Russia Beyond: Space Smugglers: How Russian cosmonauts sneak booze into outer space, Levkovich, Y. (12 April 2017) https://www.rbth.com/science_and_tech/2017/04/12/space-smugglers-how-russian-cosmonauts-sneak-booze-into-outer-space_740566 Space.com: Red wine in space may age faster than on Earth, study finds, Weitering, H. (5 May 2021) https://www.space.com/red-wine-in-space-aged-faster Other Podcasts Relevant to this Episode: Jane Anson: Inside Bordeaux Podcasts https://janeanson.com/podcasts Wine Scholar Guild: Mastering Bordeaux … A Primer with Jane Anson (23 March 2018) https://www.winescholarguild.com/blog/wine-culture/podcast-jane-anson-andrew-jefford-on-bordeaux Glass in Session Episodes Relevant to this Episode:   S3E5: Wine and Oxygen from Grapes to Glass https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s3e5-wine-oxygen-from-grapes-to-glass S21E4: Booze Disasters https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/booze-disasters-s21e4 S21E5: Little Red Riding Hood's Wine - Fairy Tale Turned Drunk History? https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/little-red-riding-hoods-wine-fairy-tale-turned-drunk-history-s21e5 Glass in Session® swag mentioned in this show: https://www.teepublic.com/user/glass-in-session Glass in Session® is a registered trademark of Vino With Val, LLC. Music:  "Write Your Story" by Joystock (Jamendo.com cc_Standard License, Jamendo S.A.)

    13 min

  4. MAR 13

    Little Red Riding Hood's Wine: Fairy Tale Turned Drunk History? | S21E5

    This episode explores some controversial silliness over a bottle of wine that shows up in a classic fairy tale. We take a look at the history, and then casually address the wine Little Red Riding Hood may have actually hauled through the woods to her ailing grandma in rural 19th century Germany. We end with a crazy pairing ... all in the spirit of entertainment. Resources from this episode: Websites:  Banned Books Weekly: Guardians of The Fairy Tale - The Brothers Grimm, O'Niell, T. https://bannedbooksweek.weebly.com/the-banning-of-grimmsrsquo-fairytales.html Britannica: Little Red Riding Hood https://www.britannica.com/topic/Little-Red-Riding-Hood DPMA (German Patent and Trademark Office): Rotkäppchen Sparkling Wine (Updated 10 December 2025) https://www.dpma.de/english/our_office/about_us/history/30yearsofgermanunity/eastbrands/rotkaeppchen/index.html Daily Gazette: Calif. Elementary School Bans Little Red Riding Hood (19 May 1990) https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1957&dat=19900519&id=SWMhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bIkFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3413,5003771 Forbes: This Sparkling Wine Survived Nationalization and Privatization to Become Germany's Favorite, Persio, S. L. (Updated 14 November 2019) https://www.forbes.com/sites/sofialottopersio/2019/11/11/this-sparkling-wine-survived-nationalization-and-privatization-to-become-germanys-favorite/ Mirriam-Webster: Bocksbeutel https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bocksbeutel Seattle Times: Little Red Riding Hood Banned, AP, (19 May 1990) https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19900519/1072598/little-red-riding-hood-banned Smithsonian Magazine: There Are 58 Versions of Little Red Riding Hood, Some are 1,000 Years Older Than the Brothers Grimm's, Nuwer, R. (15 November 2013) https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/there-are-58-versions-of-little-red-riding-hood-some-1000-years-older-than-the-brothers-grimms-180947704/ University of Pittsburgh: Folklore Archives, The Grimm Brothers' Children's and Household Tales (Grimms' Fairy Tales), [No. 26, Little Red Cap], Ashliman, D.L. https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm026.html University of Pittsburgh: Grimm Brothers' Home Page, Ashliman, D.L. https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm.html Wine Atlas: Saale-Unstrut https://www.wine-atlas.org/regions/saale-unstrut Wines of Germany: Franken https://winesofgermany.co.uk/regions/franken/ Wines of Germany: Rotkäppchen Sparkling Wine Cellar https://www.winesofgermany.com/our-regions/highlight-of-wine-culture/354/rotkäppchen-sparkling-wine-cellar WorthPoint: Little Red Riding Hood Wine Advertising Rotkappchen Freiburg Germany 1010s https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/little-red-riding-hood-wine-4577027708   Glass in Session Episodes Relevant to this Episode: S7E2: Wines of Anjou, the Musketeers … and a Salad to Go? https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s7e2-wines-of-anjou-the-musketeers-and-a-salad-to-go S16E1: Austrian and German Sekt https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/austrian-and-german-sekt-s16e1   Glass in Session® swag mentioned in this show: https://www.teepublic.com/user/glass-in-session   Glass in Session® is a registered trademark of Vino With Val, LLC. Music:  "Write Your Story" by Joystock (Jamendo.com cc_Standard License, Jamendo S.A.)

    15 min
  5. Booze Disasters | S21E4

    FEB 27

    Booze Disasters | S21E4

    This episode explores some of history's tragic booze disasters, and while we're at it, lays down some geeky booze knowledge. It is first in a new series of potable potpourri podcast episodes this season. Resources from this episode: Websites:  ABC 7 Chicago: 8,000 gallons of Prosecco spew out of tank after wine distillery explosion, CNN, (4 October 2018) https://abc7chicago.com/post/8k-gallons-of-prosecco-spew-out-of-tank-after-blast/4412259/?userab=abcn_du_cat_topic_feature_holdout-474*variant_b_redesign-1939,abcn_news_for_you_exp-528*variant_a_control-2203 All That's Interesting: When Burning Whiskey Flooded Dublin's Streets, 13 Died Drinking Booze Out of Their Boots, Margaritoff, M. (Updated 18 December 2024) https://allthatsinteresting.com/dublin-whiskey-fire Great Italian Food Trade: Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG: A guide to excellence and stability, Dongo, D. (14 February 2026) https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/en/vino-italiano/conegliano-valdobbiadene-prosecco-docg-guida-sostenibilita/ History: The London Beer Flood - On October 17, 1814, a brewery accident unleashed a deadly tidal wave of beer through a London Neighborhood in one of history's strangest disasters, Klein, C. (Updated 27 May 2025) https://www.history.com/articles/london-beer-flood History Press UK: The London Beer Flood (17 October 2016) https://thehistorypress.co.uk/article/the-london-beer-flood/ The Irish Times: The night a river of whiskey ran through the streets of Dublin, Ruxton, D. (3 August 2016) https://www.irishtimes.com/news/offbeat/the-night-a-river-of-whiskey-ran-through-the-streets-of-dublin-1.2743517 Liberties Dublin: Keep Discovering the Liberties https://libertiesdublin.ie/visit-the-liberties/ Prosecco.wine: Prosecco DOC - 667 Milioni di Bottiglie Nel 2025 (13 January 2026) https://www.prosecco.wine/prosecco/ Smithsonian Magazine: This 1814 Beer Flood Killed Eight People - More than a hundred thousand gallons of beer burst onto the streets of London when a vat broke, Eschner, K. (4 August 2017) https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/1814-beer-flood-killed-eight-people-180964256/ Time: Thousands of Gallons of Prosecco Wasted in Dramatic Viral Winery Explosion (4 October 2018) https://time.com/5415344/prosecco-explosion/ VinePair: Veneto Winery Loses 30,000 Liters of Prosecco after Tank Explosion, McKirdy, T. (3 October 2018) https://vinepair.com/booze-news/prosecco-winery-explosion/ Glass in Session Episodes Relevant to this Episode:   S7E3: Booze Riots and Rebellions, Part 1 - Champagne & Whiskey https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s7e3-booze-riots-and-rebellions-part-1-champagne-whiskey S7E4: Booze Riots and Rebellions, Part 2 - Rum https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s7e4-booze-riots-and-rebellions-part-2-rum S7E5: Booze Riots and Rebellions, Part 3 - Lager Beer and Eggnog Riots https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s7e4-booze-riots-and-rebellions-part-3-lager-beer-and-eggnog-riots Glass in Session® swag mentioned in this show: https://www.teepublic.com/user/glass-in-session Glass in Session® is a registered trademark of Vino With Val, LLC. Music:  "Write Your Story" by Joystock (Jamendo.com cc_Standard License, Jamendo S.A.)

    14 min
  6. Muscat Grape Love | S21E3

    FEB 13

    Muscat Grape Love | S21E3

    This episode explores main muscat wine grape varieties, the many wine styles, a little history, and terminology … all to help you fall in love with new styles of wine - and other beverages - made with this ancient grape that is still very much loved around the world. Just in time for Valentine's Day! Resources from this episode: Books:  Ancient Wine: The Search for the Origins of Viticulture (Princeton Science Library Book 76) [Kindle Version], McGovern, P. (2003) Grapes and Wines: A comprehensive guide to varieties and flavours, Clarke, O. and Rand, M. (2010) The Oxford Companion to Wine [5th Edition, Kindle Edition], Harding, J., Robinson, J., Thomas, T. (2023) Wine Grapes: A Complete Guide to 1,368 Vine Varieties, Including Their Origins and Flavours [Kindle Edition], Robinson, J., Harding, J., Vouillamoz, J. (2013) Websites:  Italian Wine Central: Moscato https://italianwinecentral.com/variety/moscato/ Muscat Wines: Muscat Wines of the United States https://www.muscat-wines.com/muscat-wines/muscat-wines-of-the-united-states/ Vinopedia: Muscat https://vinopedia.org/wiki/Muscat Vins Alsace: Fresh & Dry Muscat d'Alsace https://www.vinsalsace.com/en/gouts-et-couleurs/cepages/frais-et-secs/muscat-dalsace/   Glass in Session Episodes Relevant to this Episode:   S1E6: Doing the Diois - Clairette de Die Sparkling Wine https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s1e6-doing-the-diois-clairette-de-die-sparkling-wine S3E1: Asti DOCG - Bubbles in the New Year, Decade, and Season! https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s3e1-asti-docg-bubbles-in-the-new-year-decade-and-season S3E4: Wine from Dried Grapes https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s3e4-wine-from-dried-grapes S6E2: A Pisco Party! https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s6e2-a-pisco-party S6E3: A Sweet, Sticky Story - Rutherglen Fortified Wines https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s6e3-a-sweet-sticky-story-rurtherglen-fortified-wines S14E4: Constantia - The wine, the place, the history, and juicy bits https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/constantia-the-wine-the-place-the-history-and-juicy-bits-s14e4   Glass in Session® swag mentioned in this show: https://www.teepublic.com/user/glass-in-session   Glass in Session® is a registered trademark of Vino With Val, LLC. Music:  "Write Your Story" by Joystock (Jamendo.com cc_Standard License, Jamendo S.A.)

    16 min
  7. A Whisky Sweater for Burns Night (Whisky Re-Release)

    JAN 24 ·  BONUS

    A Whisky Sweater for Burns Night (Whisky Re-Release)

    In addition to this re-release of "Whisky, Burns Night, and … Beerhenge?" (Originally Released Jan 28, 2022 ) I give a new, quick introduction to Burns night before treating you to this episode on whisky, in which I discuss: what it is, a little history, how it's produced, distinguishing the styles, and a little silliness (because your host cannot help herself).  Just the thing for a cold, January in the northern hemisphere on this weird third rock from the sun. Resources from this episode: Books: Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS) Study Guide, Society of Wine Educators, Nickles, J. (2020) The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails [Kindle Edition], Wondrich, D & Rothbaum, N., (2022) Whiskey: The Definitive World Guide, Jackson, M. (2005) The World Atlas of Whisky [2nd Edition], Broom, D. (2014) Websites: Difford's Guide: On this Day - 25 January, Sutcliffe, T. & Difford, S., (2020) https://www.diffordsguide.com/on-this-day/january/25 Independent: How to Address you Haggis in Honor of the Great, According to Robert Burns, Sommerlad, J. (25 January 2022) https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/address-to-the-haggis-burns-night-b2000134.html Merriam Webster: Auld lang syne: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/auld%20lang%20syne Scotch Whisky: Famous Whisky Drinkers - Robert Burns, Smith, G.D., (25 January 2016) https://scotchwhisky.com/magazine/famous-whisky-drinkers/8261/famous-whisky-drinkers-robert-burns/ Some of Val's Favorite Whisky Personalities: Whiskycast: Cask Strength Conversation, by Mark Gillespie - https://whiskycast.com/ The Unwritable Rant: Bourbon-Soaked Stories, by Juliette Miranda - https://theunwritablerant.com/ Related Topics by Glass in Session®: S7E3: Booze Riots and Rebellions, Part 1 - Champagne & Whiskey - https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/glassinsession/id/19435472 S4E6: Got Wood? Talkin' bout Oak - https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/glassinsession/id/15334700 S4E5: Roll out the (Bourbon) Barrel ... and put Wine in it? - https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/glassinsession/id/15148409 S13E5: Bourbon: The Distinctly American Spirit https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/website/bourbon-the-distinctly-american-spirit   Glass in Session® swag mentioned in this show: https://www.teepublic.com/user/glass-in-session   Glass in Session® is a registered trademark of Vino With Val, LLC. Music: "Write Your Story" by Joystock Bourbon Segment: "Fife and Drum" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

    28 min
  8. Chardonnay Rose: Now in the Pink | S21E2

    JAN 23

    Chardonnay Rose: Now in the Pink | S21E2

    This episode explores the pink mutation of the Chardonnay grape, and why it's now in the pantheon of Champagne's primary grape varieties.    Resources from this episode: Books:  The Oxford Companion to Wine [5th Edition, Kindle Edition], Harding, J., Robinson, J., Thomas, T. (2023) Wine Grapes: A Complete Guide to 1,368 Vine Varieties, Including Their Origins and Flavours [Kindle Edition], Robinson, J., Harding, J., Vouillamoz, J. (2013) Websites:  Champagne Education [Comité Champange]: Chardonnay Rose (9 January 2026) https://www.champagne.education/en/chardonnay-rose-champagne Comité Champagne: Grape Varieties https://www.champagne.fr/en/about-champagne/a-great-blended-wine/champagne-and-its-grape-varieties Ministère de l'Agriculture, de l'Agro-Alimentaire, et de la Souveraineté Alimentaire: Bulletin Officiel - Cahier des Charges du 07-08-2025 [Cahier des charges de l'appellation d'origine contrôlée "Champagne" homologué par l'arrêté du 31 juillet 2025 (AGRT2518163A)] https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/boagri/document_administratif-677d59b2-d392-4220-9fa3-e65dbc723244 PIWI International: The "Voltis" grape variety has been approved for the production of Champagne AOC, Rebsorten & Züchtung (21 February 2022) https://piwi-international.org/en/2022/02/grape-variety-voltis-was-released-for-the-production-of-champagne-aoc/ Wine Business: Pink Chardonnay, a Forgotten Grape Variety that is Regaining its Place in Champagnes Heritage (20 October 2025) https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/309480   Glass in Session Episodes Relevant to this Episode:   S3E3: Wine Caves - Dishing the Dirt https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s3e3-wine-caves-dishing-the-dirt S15E2: Champagne Part 2 - Grape to Glass https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/website/champagne-part-2-grape-to-glass S16E3: Belgian Wines (updated) and PIWI Grapes (re-release) https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/belgian-wines-updated-and-piwi-grapes-s16e3-re-release   Glass in Session® swag mentioned in this show: https://www.teepublic.com/user/glass-in-session   Glass in Session® is a registered trademark of Vino With Val, LLC. Music:  "Write Your Story" by Joystock (Jamendo.com cc_Standard License, Jamendo S.A.)

    8 min
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5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Glass in Session® is a wine education podcast hosted by Val Caruso, DWS, CWE, FWS. She's a certified wine educator, lifelong learner, & shameless corkdork. Every 2nd and 4th Friday there will be a new Glass in Session® focusing on a new topic. Val's mission is to educate, entertain, and empower the wine learner, wine lover, or wine curious by seeking out the fun - and sometimes funny - side of wine education.

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