Sorrowful composer swallowing French wine (8)
I believe the answer is:
grieving
'sorrowful' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'composer swallowing french wine' is the wordplay.
'composer' becomes 'grieg' (Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg 1843-1907).
'swallowing' indicates putting letters inside.
'french wine' becomes 'vin' ('wine' in French).
'grieg' placed around 'vin' is 'GRIEVING'.
(Other definitions for grieving that I've seen before include "Lamenting a personal loss" , "Mourning" .)