Wallace's Cheesy Preferences: An Exploration Of His Palate

Wallace, the air-headed inventor with a penchant for cheese and crackers, is a self-proclaimed cheese connoisseur. In the 1995 short film 'A Close Shave', Wallace names Wensleydale as his favourite cheese, a crumbly, supple, medium cheese with a slight honey aroma. This mention of Wensleydale, a cheese originating from North Yorkshire, England, is credited with boosting sales and saving the brand from bankruptcy. Wensleydale Creamery, the primary producer of the cheese, even released a special brand of Wallace and Gromit Wensleydale cheese.

Wensleydale is Wallace's favourite cheese

Wensleydale is a style of cheese originally produced in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, England. It is a medium cheese with a supple and crumbly texture and a slight honey aroma. It is usually white in colour but can take on a more colourful hue when dried fruit is added to the paste.

The Wallace & Gromit series has had a significant impact on Wensleydale cheese sales. After *A Close Shave* aired, sales of Wensleydale began to rise, and the company avoided bankruptcy. In 1995, the Wensleydale Creamery contacted Aardman Animations about licensing a special brand of "Wallace and Gromit Wensleydale", which has been a huge success. The release of the 2005 film, *Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit*, also boosted sales of Wensleydale cheeses by 23%.

Wallace and Gromit saved Wensleydale from obscurity

Wallace and Gromit have long been associated with cheese, and Wensleydale in particular. In the 1995 short film 'A Close Shave', the eccentric inventor Wallace declares Wensleydale to be his favourite cheese. This mention was not a paid partnership, but rather a creative decision by animator Nick Park, who chose Wensleydale because it had a good name that would be interesting to animate. However, this chance mention ended up saving the Wensleydale Creamery company from bankruptcy.

In the early 1990s, sales of Wensleydale cheese had fallen so low that production in Wensleydale itself was at risk of being suspended. But after the release of 'A Close Shave', sales of Wensleydale began to rise again. The company credits Wallace and Gromit for saving the brand, and soon contacted Aardman Animations about licensing a special brand of "Wallace and Gromit Wensleydale". This partnership proved to be a huge success, with sales of Wensleydale cheese jumping by 23% when the 2005 full-length film 'Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit' was released.

The Wallace and Gromit effect has also raised awareness of British cheese as a whole, and the duo have become synonymous with Yorkshire Wensleydale, expressing their love for the cheese time and time again. In 2024, to celebrate the release of 'Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl', the Wensleydale Creamery released limited-edition Wallace & Gromit character truckles, featuring the beloved inventor and his genius dog on different flavours of cheese.

Wallace's love of cheese influences his decision-making

Wallace's love of cheese is well-documented in the "Wallace and Gromit" series. In fact, his affinity for cheese influences his decision-making, as seen in "A Grand Day Out" when he decides to visit the moon, believing it to be made of cheese. This particular adventure is also driven by his desire to have some cheese, as he and Gromit discover they have none at home.

Wallace's favourite cheese is Wensleydale, which he declares in the 1995 short "A Close Shave". This proclamation is credited with boosting sales of Wensleydale cheese and even saving the brand from bankruptcy. The cheese producers, Wensleydale Creamery, were facing financial difficulties at the time, and they have since collaborated with "Wallace and Gromit" on licensed cheese products.

Wallace's love for cheese extends beyond Wensleydale, as he is a self-proclaimed cheese connoisseur. In "A Grand Day Out", he considers visiting Lancashire, Cheddar, Philadelphia, and Tesco's before settling on the moon as his cheese-related destination. He also demonstrates his knowledge of cheese by reading magazines like "Cheese Holidays" and "Cheese Monthly".

Wallace's passion for cheese influences his dietary choices, leading to struggles in maintaining a balanced diet, as seen in "Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit". It even affects his sleep, as an excess of cheese one night causes him difficulty in falling asleep in the short film "The Snoozatron".

Wallace's affinity for cheese is so strong that it has become a running theme in the "Wallace and Gromit" series, with cheese featuring prominently in many of their adventures. This includes the use of Stinking Bishop cheese as smelling salts to revive Wallace in "The Curse of the Were-Rabbit".

Overall, Wallace's love of cheese is a defining characteristic of the character, influencing his decisions, shaping his adventures, and even impacting the real-world popularity of certain cheeses.

Wallace's affinity for cheese has not wavered

Wensleydale, a style of cheese originating from the Wensleydale region in North Yorkshire, England, was facing low production and declining sales in the early 1990s. However, its fate changed when Wallace, the beloved inventor from the iconic Wallace & Gromit series, proclaimed Wensleydale as his favourite cheese in the 1995 short film, "A Close Shave." This declaration sparked a surge in popularity for Wensleydale, boosting sales and rescuing the cheese from the brink of disappearance.

Wallace's passion for cheese goes beyond Wensleydale. In the film "A Grand Day Out," the plot revolves around his belief that the moon is made of cheese, specifically Wensleydale. He even builds a rocket to travel to the moon and sample its cheesy delights. This adventurous spirit, combined with his connoisseur-level knowledge of cheese, makes Wallace a unique and endearing character.

Wallace's influence on cheese enthusiasts and consumers cannot be overstated. His fondness for Wensleydale led to a collaboration between the Wensleydale Creamery and Aardman Animations, resulting in the creation of a special brand called "Wallace & Gromit Wensleydale." This partnership not only saved the Wensleydale brand but also increased awareness and appreciation for British cheese as a whole.

Even in later instalments of the series, Wallace's love for cheese remains unwavering. In "A Matter of Loaf and Death," he dreams of cheese, and in "Vengeance Most Fowl," his computer password is aptly set to "cheese." This enduring affinity has further contributed to the popularity of Wensleydale and other cheeses featured in the series, with fans eager to emulate Wallace's culinary choices.

Wallace's affinity for cheese has not only enriched the world of animation but has also left a lasting impact on the cheese industry and the palates of countless fans around the UK.

Wallace's cheese consumption has caused him health issues

Wallace's cheese consumption has certainly caused him some health issues. In the short film "The Snoozatron", an excess of cheese causes him to have trouble falling asleep. In “The Curse of the Were-Rabbit”, his diet causes him dietary struggles. In “A Grand Night In: The Story of Aardman”, Wallace's love of cheese is shown to influence his decision-making, as he considers going somewhere cheese-related.

In “A Close Shave”, Wallace declares Wensleydale as his favourite cheese. Wensleydale is a medium cheese that is supple and crumbly, with a slight honey aroma. It is usually milky-white in colour, but can take on a more colourful hue when dried fruit is added to the paste. It is often paired with sweeter produce, such as sweet apples, or fruit cake or Christmas cake.

While Wallace's love of cheese has caused him some health issues, it has also had a positive impact on his life. In “A Grand Day Out”, Wallace's belief that the moon is made of cheese inspires him to build a rocket to travel there. And in “A Close Shave”, his affinity for Wensleydale helps save the Wensleydale Creamery from bankruptcy.

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