OK this is all I've learned from a few years of waitering and bartending at a fine restaurant, as well as numerous trips to Napa for "taste testing".

If you know your friend's tastes or favorites go with that. If they are a wine afficianado than the Merlots or Cab's are great. Some very serious wine drinkers like the really dry whites so it just depends. However if they are not big wine drinkers than you should stick to a something that isn't so bold like a Reisling (Gray or Johanasburg (sp)). Those are wines that are very tasty to the beginner and go with about any meal. They might not be robust enough for serious wine drinkers, but they will still drink them. On the other hand a very strong Merlot or Cab can be a miserable experience for a newer wine drinker.

The feeling around here is to just drink what you like, you don't need to force a dark red upon yourself just because you are eating steak etc. Good luck and please designate a driver.