American Merlot remains a hard sell today and especially in Napa, where Cabernet Sauvignon is the undisputed and most profitable star. Indeed, Napa growers have been pulling up their Merlot vines at a rapid clip and replanting them with Cabernet. According to Napa Valley Vintners, in 2007 there were 6,828 acres of Merlot in Napa; 10 years later, Merlot acreage is down to 4,583.

 

more at WSJ.com