Answer by: Roger C. Bohmrich, MW
In principle, sediment in wine is a natural by-product of bottle maturation, depending on the wine and its age. I could not comment on the likely condition or drinkability without knowing the name and vintage of the wine you have, and how it has been stored.
You can try standing the bottle upright for a day, and then carefully and slowly decanting the wine in a bright light, stopping when you begin to see the first trace of sediment darkening the wine. If there' s a great deal of sediment, you can let it stand further after the initial decanting and decant a second time through a few layers of folded cheesecloth, or use a decanting funnel with a screen.
About the Expert:Roger has enjoyed a lengthy career in the wine trade, and he last served as a senior executive with a major national importer. In 2006, he launched Millesima USA, a retail entity affiliated with Europe's leading fine wine mail order company. Roger became one of America's first Masters of Wine in 1993, and he has been very active as an educator and speaker at wine festivals and conferences. He hosts a community television program entitled "Wine's Simple Pleasures," and is currently working on a book of original recipes and wine pairing solutions. Visit Roger C. Bohmrich, MW's website: MILLESIMA USA LLC
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