We love passion and we love people who are passionate about their passions. In this case we spoke to Dalkia a french wine expert and lover.
We’d love to hear about how your passion for wine came about? What is it about the industry that draws you in?
D: Well, I was born and raised in France… I think that’s way enough to imagine that I have no childhood memory (birthdays, celebrations, family dinners…) that doesn’t end up with a bottle of wine or champagne ! Even if when I was younger, I didn’t like it. Years after years, my palate has evolved, and the funny part is that the more I learned about wine, the more I could understand it and the more I’ve loved it. To me, wine is a living product that brings people together. Irresistible 😉
What do you think is the most important quality for the influencer to possess?
D: Well, I’ve personally tried to build a real community. I have met many people thanks to Instagram (I mean, in real life !), some of them have become true friends. Another thing would be to be very adaptive. When I launched my IG account, I had no idea what will come next. And now, I’m working on my blog www.dalkialoveswine.com ! Something I was really far from thinking of one year ago !
What is your stance on influencers being paid to post about brands? Should influencers be transparent regarding payment for posts?
D: I find it completely normal that influencers are paid, they’re doing a real job (especially bloggers). But talking about wine, I’m not sure I would trust someone who was paid to share their tasting. It’s too personal.
Regarding transparency… It’s a complicated question cause it really depends on the influencer. I follow several pros, and the way they manage their collab is really well done, cause they only work with brands that fit their values. At the end I’m always glad I’ve discovered a brand, no matter if they were paid for it or not.
How do you think the rise of influencer accounts on Instagram has impacted on the way that people discover restaurants/wine/food?
D: Pascaline Lepeltier is our 2019 French Best Sommelier. She wrote a few words about it, and I really agree with her. She tells the story of a man who follows her IG account, who comes to her restaurant and asks her the same bottle than Pascaline posted a few days ago. Because the way she described it (I mean, not the bottle, but the MOMENT : what she felt while tasting this wine, what she thinks of it and so one) made this guy feel something in the inside. Influencers have allowed us to really picture moments and experiences : the tasting, the atmosphere of a restaurant, the way to cook an ingredient… You like it, or not, but you can’t feel nothing at all.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential for success?
D: Work. If you think building a community is about posting movies of your feet in a pool… Well it works if you’re Kim K but otherwise, chose to be a follower 😉
When it comes to region or origin of wine, does one country dominate all others? or would you say each producer has their own qualities that allow them to compete on the global stage?
D: Give a marvellous terroir to a bad winemaker… He’ll produce good wine. Give an amazing terroir to an amazing winemaker… He’ll make a gem !! No matter the country or the region!
On a personal note, what are some of the most important things in your life?
D: My boyfriend and my friends. That’s all I need to be happy ! And a bottle of wine from time to time of course 😉
What would you most like to add to your knowledge about social media marketing and strategy?
D: I’m often asked how did I succeed on Instagram. The truth is that it took me daily hours of work ! People can’t imagine how time consuming social networks are, but you need to be very motivated to succeed (and your friends and family really supportive)
Anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
D: If they come to Paris, I’ll be more than happy to share a bottle with them !
