This is truly a frequently asked question, and most doctors have developed their own response to this question. First, what are the facts? The facts are that moderate alcohol intake (1-2 drinks/day) is strongly associated with decreased incidence of coronary heart disease and heart attacks. This is apparently true of all types of alcohol (beer, white and red wine, liquors) and not just red wine. (The mystique surrounding red wine involves its content of flavenoids, antioxidants which have been speculated to decrease heart disease risk).
Although alcohol raises HDL ("good") cholesterol, it is not clear that this is the way in which alcohol decreases risk of heart attacks. Alcohol should never be used simply as a "medication" to raise HDL or to prevent heart disease. There are certainly abundant risks associated with drinking alcohol, from driving under its influence to the risk that use could escalate and cause liver disease. However, the fact remains that moderate alcohol use appears to decrease risk of heart attacks. This is one of those questions that, once armed with the information, everyone has to decide for his or her self.
