Throughout the twentieth century, the Saint-Emilion winemakers have worked to improve the wines and to define quality criteria. The establishment of the AOC Saint-Emilion and the introduction of a revised ranking in 1954 were crucial steps. They assert the huge reputation of Saint-Emilion wines in the ever increasingly international public’s minds. Moreover, this is where, on a global level, the unique history of the vineyards of Saint- Emilion is consecrated. In 1999 it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the cultural landscape. This recognition salutes a history of over 2000 years of close interactions between the people and an exceptional terroir.