MONMOUTHSHIRE is fast becoming cider's new home as its producers soak up all the accolades for creating the perfect tasting tipple.

Locally-grown apples and a great deal of had work has led to the county scooping three out of the top six awards at weekend's Camra's National Cider and Perry Championships.

Monmouthshire has an increasing number of orchards producing the fruity drink, more traditionally associated with the West Country.

The seal of approval came when Springfield Cider's Wobbly Munk, from Llangovan, claimed gold.

Publicans, drinks writers and CAMRA members, voted it their favourite because of its ‘fantastic balance with a pleasantly sharp aftertaste of apple and bitter lemon’.

CJ's Surprise, a cider made by a farmer near Usk, was awarded silver, while Raglan Cider Mill picked up a bronze for its Snowy Owl perry.

Springfield's success story had a rather unconventional start, as Alan Wordsworth, who runs the business with wife Jo, learned his trade in food and drink by importing dessicated coconut from the Ivory Coast.

He sold the business Bunten and Lancaster, which supplied the big names like Cadbury and Nestle, relocated to Wales and found himself with a 100-acre orchard.

Mr Wordsworth, who harvests up to a million apples a year and set up his latest venture in 2004, said: "I thought I was retiring to Monmouthshire but I'm working harder than ever! We are so pleased to win- CAMRA's are the Oscars of the cider world."

CJ's Surprise is made by CJ Watkins, known as John.

"I have been making cider since I left school," he said.

"I'm a farmer, when you get bored you make cider. I didn't expect to win anything to be honest. I make it as a bit of fun."

James Perks and wife Sally has one of only two licensed cider houses in Wales at Tynewydd Farm, Llanarth, where people can drop in for a pint.

Their Raglan Cider Mill perries are all named after owls, as a barn owl lives at the end of the cider house.

Mr Perks said cider production is booming in Monmouthshire and the county is taking all before it.

"We are very lucky here, there is such good fruit. It's a case of quality rather than quantity."

Andrea Briers, CAMRA National Cider and Perry Committee chairwoman, said there were many positives to take from the annual contest.

She said: “This year it was impressive to see the sheer range of flavour within what was a very accomplished field of entries. The quality of ciders and perries was genuinely outstanding in 2013, but the diversity is what really impresses and which makes these beautiful beverages something we think everybody should give a try.”