AN ANDOVER Down-based cider company has scooped a prestigious award at an international competition for the beverage.

Chalkdown Cider won the Challenge Trophy for the best bottle conditioned cider at the International Cider Challenge Competition, for the second year running.

The competition which celebrates the best ciders across the globe had entries ranging from farmhouse producers to premium brands, and from countries including Australia, Japan, South Africa and Estonia.

Chalkdown Cider maker and owner, Piotr Nahajski, said: “I am absolutely delighted Chalkdown Cider has won the Challenge Trophy for the second year running, beating off extremely tough competition.

“This year the stakes were even higher, including new entrants, demonstrating how fiercely competitive the market is.

“Winning this award is a great affirmation of the work we put into every bottle of Chalkdown cider, from the hand selection of the apples, to the care shown during the pressing process, right down to polishing each bottle. This enables us to produce an outstanding product of which we are all extremely proud.”

The whole process to create the brew with Hampshire-sourced apples takes two-and-a-half years, with a production method similar to making champagne.

The brand is sold across various Hampshire retailers, to find out more visit chalkdowncider.com