A MONMOUTH cider producer has received the highest honour in the Oscars of the Welsh food and drink industry.

Ben Culpin, who owns the award-winning Apple County Cider Company near Skenfrith, started the business in 2009.

He has won numerous awards including the gold and two bronze awards in the Artisan Drinks competition at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair last year.

This latest accolade from the Great Taste Award saw Mr Culpin awarded the 3 star award for his Vilberie Medium Lightly Dry Cider.

His cider was also chosen as one of the Great Taste 2015 Top 50 foods and now has the chance of becoming the Great Taste Supreme Champion 2015.

Of the 10,000 global entries, judges by a panel of experts that included Xanthe Clay, only 130 have been awarded the Great Taste 3-star.

To win the award, every single judge attending the session, which can be as many as 40 experts must unanimously agree the food delivers that indescribable ‘wow’ factor.

Mr Culpin said: “Only a small percentage of products are awarded the prestigious 3 star award by the Great Taste, so we are thrilled to have achieved this honour, for our Vilberie Medium Lightly Dry Cider.

"It is a testament to all the hard work our team have out in to create a product we can really be proud of.”

John Farrand, managing director of the Guild of Fine Food and award organiser, added: “The increase in Welsh 3-star winners this year has been a real pleasure to see, with the traditional foods such as artisan dairy products and cider making a strong showing.”

The winner of the Great Taste Supreme Champion will be announced on September 7.