What are the healthiest wines and beers you can choose?

Is alcohol good for you or bad for you?

Let's face it, most of us enjoy a nice little drink every now and again, but how does that affect your health?  Certainly research seems to imply that their are even some health benefits to drinking.  In fact one study found teetotallers were as much at risk of heart disease as those who consumed more than 3 units of alcohol a day.  

So, it's good for you right? 
Well, yes and no.  Alcohol is actually toxic to the body, so depending on the quality and the quantity of the form you drink it in, you may lessen or increase the impact it has on your body, both negatively and positively.

Here is what I recommend:

Drink good quality alcohol, in small amounts (1-2 units), and have at least 2 alcohol free nights a week.

How do you determine the quality?

Look for organic and preservative free wines.
It is easier to buy preservative free red wine than white wine, because red wine is higher in tannins, which acts as a natural preservative.  I know Hardy's does a preservative free Red wine.
Choose light (as in alcohol), dark (as in colour), preservative free beers.  You can buy preservative free Hahn Premium light.  I think Fat Yak is also a good option.
Although if I was going to recommend one over the other I would recommend wine from a health point of view.  Beer contains yeast, and this can have a negative impact on some people's health, particularly their digestion, which is where it all starts!

Where can you buy them:

You will find some good options of preservative free and organic wines on www.organicwine.com.au
as well as a bit more information on wines and preservatives. http://www.organicwine.com.au/Article.aspx?NID=33

Dan Murphys and some of the big stockists sometimes stock Hardy's preservative free wine (although, these are more likely to be no added preservatives rather than preservative free).

In South Africa, you can get organic and preservative free wine from Woolworths.