AS CHEESE goes, brie is as quintessentially French as Gitanes and Gauloises but one Yorkshire creamery is putting a Wensleydale twist on the popular delicacy.

The Wensleydale Creamery at Hawes has now added a Yorkshire Brie to its portfolio of dairy products, offering a British alternative to the French classic.

It is the first ever brie from the famous Dales cheese-maker and is a soft and creamy cheese, handcrafted from Yorkshire milk.

The Creamery describes the new cheese as a luxurious, white mould-ripened brie and, David Hartley, managing director of The Wensleydale Creamery, said: “We’re thrilled to be launching Yorkshire Brie, made from Yorkshire milk, and can’t wait for our loyal customers to try it.

“The Yorkshire food brand is fast gaining recognition throughout the UK and Europe for its world-class offering – it’s fantastic to be a part of this food movement, and we are particularly proud of this new cheese paying tribute to our French cheese-making origins.”

Packaged in The Wensleydale Creamery’s premium style with its iconic branding, the brie comes in two sizes, 1kg and 230g, and will join the Creamery’s offering of Yorkshire dairy products, including Yorkshire Wensleydale, Yorkshire Butter and Yorkshire Yogurt.

It is available from independent retailers across the UK, as well as The Wensleydale Creamery Visitor Centre Cheese Shop.

Brie originated from France but does not have a PGI - protected geographical indication - enabling varieties to be created across the world.

Despite this, the French government officially certifies only two types to be sold under the name, Brie de Meaux and Brie de Melun.

The Yorkshire Dales is an area rich in cheese-making history, dating back to 1150 when French Cistercian monks first settled in the area.