I am, by no means, a wine expert...but I'll give it a try.
For the most part, there are 3 different general types of wine: Red, White, and Blush. And in each of these categories, there are subtypes (for example, Merlot is a red, Chardonnay is a white, and White Zinfadel is a blush). Reds tend to be much more dry than white or blush, which can have a strong fruit flavor.
Check out this site:
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the...es-of-wine.htm
This gives you a very basic outline on wine, with the 2nd paragraph specifying which wines go with what.
The cool thing about wines is that all the different brands do things differently, so the most expensive wine is not necessarily the best (kinda like beer). I have found that you can spend between $6 and $12 on a bottle of wine and it'll be just as good as that $40 bottle 2 shelves down.
As far as where they come from...that has never really mattered to me. Here in the States, most wines you'll find come from California, but French, Italian wines are good. I have come to like the Down Under wines as well (Australia, New Zealand). In the DC area, there are a few wineries in MD, but much much more in VA, and they produce pretty good wines. So, instead of focusing on where it comes from, it's better to find which type you like, and try a few different brands.
http://www.robarnieanddawn.com/Robwinetypes.htm
This site goes over the different types, and tells you a little about each type. He also suggests white for beginners, and I tend to agree. A few to look at would be Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Riesling. A few milder reds are Pinot Noir and Shiraz. One of my faves is Cabernet Sauvignon, which is a fairly dry red.
Your best bet is to check out wine tasting events in your area, or even go to a winery. Or, just go to the Liquor store, decide which type you'd like to try, and try 1 or 2 brands. If you find a store that specializes in wine, ask them what they prefer. There is a wine store near me that has tasting all the time, and you can pick their brain about different brands, different types and what they taste like.
Good luck!