No food being served what wine to choose?

[Val Amigo]

I am having a friend over and I would like to serve up a bottle of wine. I'm not very familiar with wine but I would like something perferablly red not to dry and not to strong almost fruity & smooth. I heard gamay's and wines from the Loire region of France are a good choice is that true. Can someone help me with some other choices or are the ones I mentioned any good. (price willing to spend 12-18$)

[This message has been edited by Val Amigo (edited 10-14-99).]