Is it a bad idea to drink wine if it helps with my muscle tension and anxiety?

If not driving: Alcohol is a very good relaxant & safe when used in moderation. The problem is when someone uses "muscle tension & anxiety" to justify heavy drinking. Medicines like valium, klonopin, (clonazepam) Ativan are more or less the same as having a glass of wine. All sedative/relaxants work best when used less.

Depends on how much: a glass of wine or a cocktail may indeed help, however the liver only detoxifies an ounce an hour. It is in your body to clean out body toxins. While it is working on the alcohol it is not working on your body thus creating back up. Moreover an ounce every hour for several hours is worse. Try other techniques - relaxation, visualization, deep breathing, stretching,exercise.