NEWCASTLE based Apple County Cider has won two prizes at the prestigious Good Taste awards.

Apple County Cider’s medium dry Vilberie cider won the top award of three gold stars, with the honour of being the only Welsh Cider company to win the award, while the company’s Dabinett medium cider won two stars.

Vilberie’s three stars make Apple County Cider only the second cider company to have been awarded the top Good Taste accolade.

Additionally, the company’s Vilberie cider was voted into the Great Taste Top 50, with the judges enjoying it’s “clean, refreshing taste”.

Owner of Apple County Cider Ben Culprin, who was making cider for seven years before deciding to go it alone, has no regrets about his decision.

“I’ve been absolutely loving it, and it’s a pleasure to be nominated for these awards,” he said.

This success means that Apple County Cider will go to the Good Taste Golden Forks awards at the Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington on the 7th September.