It's been a few years since I worked in the industry so I'm fuzzy on brands so not much help there.
It's good to start off with a mild wine to build up your palette, either a straight variety or a blend. Merlot is milder than shiraz usually but there are exceptions depending on how it's been made. Read the labels and those that say woody or tannins can be quite strong and possibly over powering if you're used to the sweeter varieties. The staff should be knowledgable but it's not always the case because some specialise in what they like. The beer gurus won't be much help for example