philosophy
Marlou [maʀlu]
Find a name for this place, was not an easy task.
I hesitated and fumbled for a long time before finally finding, the right and appropriate name for it.
The idea naturally emerged when I learned the «primary function» of this place, after some research in the archives (and some talks with the living memories of the building) it appears that around the very beginning of the 20th century, it turns out that it was a place dedicated to some kind of entertainment, mainly for men, if you see what I mean!
Therefore the name of ‘Marlou’, probably a little bit provocative, came to my mind.
It’s a very popular old French slang word and the meaning of course, has changed through the time. Sometimes used to describe a cunning, clever man, sometimes used for a pimp or for some nice thugs, whom you could meet on Pigalle’s sidewalks in Paris in the 50’s (and this could still happen now!)
But Marlou has a different meaning today, a lover, a partner for a few hours or for life, and whatever the situation, he’s the kind of guy who doesn’t follow the rules, except his own of course! It’s clearly this definition that I liked the most and which sticks well to what we are doing here now, in this place.
Taste, offer, and share with passion these wines which don’t follow the rules or creating their own rules, wines who want to tell us their own stories, those of men and women who bring them to life.
So, are you Marlou?
are you Marlou?
Marlou is wine bar and retailer of ‘natural’ wines from Europe and abroad, located in the city center of Budapest, next to the Opera.
At Marlou, we believe in promoting natural wines: those that reflect their homeland, (wherever they came from) wines made by hand with no or minimal intervention, and where the winemaker shows maximum respect for the terroir.
We believe in the importance of ‘terroir’: soil and subsoil, autochthones grapes, organic and biodynamic viticulture, natural yeasts with an essential additional ingredient: the work of the winemaker.
Far from the standardized and stereotypical vision of technological wines, we prefer wines that tell a story, the story of man and woman who imagine it, create it, take care of it and finally... drink it!
Wines with character and soul, created by small and independent winemakers, the ones who put their passion and life’s work into the bottle with one goal: deliver a unique and inspiring beverage for our pleasure!
« Le Vin est le grain de beauté sur la joue de l’intelligence »
Omar Khayyām
biodynamic & natural wines
It pushes organic cultivation to the limit.
The principle? To seek harmony between the earth and the plant; vitalize the soil by fertilizing it in a gentle and natural way, respecting the Lunar cycle.
In fact, wine growers use a medication close to homeopathy, soft and natural, that requires enormous work and continuous observation which may seem esoteric to the neophyte, But it works! The key is caring of their plants.
Most of the Marlou‘s winegrowers have embraced biodynamic philosophy (Or flirt with it!)
Maria Thun Planting Calendar
Maria Thun is considered as a pioneer in the biodynamic agriculture. She was indeed 2 years old in June 1924, when the philosopher Rudolf Steiner theorized biodynamic agriculture. Born on a German farm, she was a nurse during the World War II. During this period, she met and married Walter Thun, a Waldorf art teacher. (Waldorf schools are applying the teachings of Rudolf Steiner.)After years of observing, in 1952 they found out correlations between the growth of radishes and the position of the moon relative to the zodiac. The idea of formalizing these interactions between plants and elements, the lunar calendar was born at this time. Maria Thun Planting Calendar was published for the first time in 1963, now it exists in 30 languages.
The Maria Thun calendar reports the position of the stars and thus determines the days favorable to the different works (tillage in root day, pruning in leaf day, etc.)
The Lunar tasting Calendar has four types of day that relate to a Lunar cycle, namely : Root, Fruit, Leaf and Flower.
How it influences wines?
These wines are truly alive, so they move with the Moon and the stars. This can certainly hurt Cartesian and scientist minds. But it’s the tasting reality and a thousand times proved.
Root, Fruit, Leaf and Flower days
-Fruit and Flower days, the wine laughs so we’re laughing with it, these days are generally regarded as the best tasting day for all wines. Fruit notes are more vibrant and the wines show us their character fully.
-Root day, nothing serious but wines tasted in this days, are less expressive and more closed than other days. Let’s take a decanter!
-Leaf days, shall we drink tea?
Taking into account planetary alignments and zodiac interactions seems indeed quite esoteric but Biodynamic winemakers specify however that these cycles determined by the calendar do not dictate their work, but advise them.
Calendar can help to choose favorable days or avoid unfavorable days, but it is also a working tool for learning, feeling and developing your observation sense.