South Beach recommends avoiding all alcohol except wine in moderation (1 glass) I know for certain alcohol messes up my blood sugar and makes my blood pressure go up. I also stop weight loss with any amount in my diet. All these viewpoints sure make it hard to tell if they are preaching or meddling.
I don't have a problem with blood sugar, so I'm not in a position to comment. However, in terms of low carb eating and weight loss, I found having drinks, be they wine or spirits, to have a nul effect. Sugars and alcohol elicit different responses in bodies, so you have to make your own call. I wish they would remind people of that in these diet books!
The only downside with any type of alcohol for me (especially a good red) is that it increases appetite! To counter this I have a bottle of water BEFORE I begin eating dinner or having a casual cocktail on the weekend. Water is vital and perhaps more so when eating in this fashion.